Push to restore FEMA independence questioned

Senators and senior government investigators on Wednesday cautioned against removing the Federal Emergency Management Agency from the Homeland Security Department, saying doing so could further rupture the nation's ability to prepare for and respond to catastrophes.

Calls have intensified in recent weeks -- especially among congressional Democrats -- to make FEMA an independent agency, which it was before being placed in DHS in 2003.

"Transferring FEMA out of the department, in my opinion, would be a major mistake," Homeland Security Inspector General Richard Skinner told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at a hearing on the government's response to Hurricane Katrina. "[We'd] simply [be] transferring the problem."

Later this month, the committee will release its findings on what went wrong with the government's response to Katrina. Committee members then plan to introduce legislation aimed at enacting reforms. The White House and House Republicans have already completed separate reviews.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, chairwoman of the committee, said she does not think that problems with emergency preparedness and response would be solved by simply making FEMA independent.

"Our investigation has shown that Katrina is all about a failure of leadership," Collins said. "If you still have poor leadership and inadequate leadership, you're going to have the same results."

Collins added that removing FEMA could impede the government's ability to do all-hazards preparedness and response, and lead to a duplication of efforts.

Committee ranking member Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., said he also opposes removing FEMA. "This makes no sense at all," he said. "There's a synergy in DHS."

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., noted that the Coast Guard was also moved into DHS, but has not had problems like FEMA's.

Comptroller General David Walker suggested that Congress set stronger statutory requirements for credentials a director of FEMA -- or any other agency critical to public and national security -- must possess, such as professional experience in emergency management. And he recommended that the FEMA director be given a term limit.

Walker said the quality and capabilities of FEMA's leadership, along with adequacy of resources, will have more to do with the agency's success than whether it is part of DHS.

Skinner added that FEMA has lost many experienced, qualified professionals to retirement, and has yet to fill many vacancies. "We have not adequately trained and brought up those behind us," he said.