Texas Floods Raise Questions About Emergency Response

Texas is still reeling from the recent floods. Over 120 people lost their lives, and 160 are still missing. This disaster has put a spotlight on how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) operates. The Trump administration has made some changes to Fema's procedures. One big change is that the Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, now has to approve any Fema payment over $100, 000. This might seem like a small amount, but it's actually quite low compared to past standards. This new rule has caused some delays in getting help to those who need it. Myra Shird, a former Fema employee, says this is unusual. She has experience helping with disasters and knows how important quick action is. In the past, Fema workers on the ground could approve much larger amounts without needing high-level approval. Shird says she could sign off on up to $10 million for certain disasters. This shows a big difference in how things are done now. Some people are worried that these changes might slow down emergency responses. When every second counts, delays can have serious consequences. It's important to think about how these rules affect people in need.