Since beginning his second term, President Donald Trump has sought to overhaul how the federal government handles natural disasters, a potentially significant issue for Louisiana given its exposure to hurricanes and other severe weather, Louisiana Illuminator reports.
A FEMA advisory council has recommended keeping the agency but shifting more disaster-response responsibility and costs to states and local governments, including reducing the federal government’s minimum share of emergency declaration expenses from 75% to 50%, a change that would require congressional approval.
An Associated Press analysis finds Trump has denied more disaster requests than any president since 1989, with more than 75% of approved requests coming from states that supported him in 2024.
Louisiana congressional candidates in the 5th and 6th districts generally oppose reducing federal disaster funding, though some Republicans support giving states and local governments greater control over response efforts. Sen. Stewart Cathey, R-Monroe, and Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Pollock, are among the 5th District candidates who oppose reducing federal disaster funding, while state Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, supports transferring some FEMA authority to state and local governments in the 6th District.
Republican 5th District candidates state Rep. Michael Echols, R-Monroe, and Louisiana Board of Regents chair Misti Cordell say they lack the information needed to assess the reductions. The candidates also differ over the administration’s approach to approving disaster aid.
