WASHINGTON – The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is over, easing concerns about whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency would have enough money to respond to disasters as hurricane season approaches and wildfires burn in South Georgia.
During the 75-day partial shutdown, FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund fell from about $9 billion to about $3 billion in roughly two months, forcing the agency to restrict spending and focus on what it calls “Immediate Needs Funding.”
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That approach prioritizes lifesaving and life-sustaining work, along with critical, ongoing disaster obligations. Other, non-urgent recovery work can be delayed or paused.
News4JAX political analyst Rick Mullaney said the shutdown exposed vulnerabilities and created significant risk.
“Like most Americans, I’m very pleased that they’ve resolved this,” Mullaney said.
In Brantley County, Georgia, wildfire victims have been waiting to learn whether additional FEMA assistance would be available as recovery begins. Georgia officials, including Gov. Brian Kemp and Sen. Raphael Warnock, have pushed for more federal help.
Mullaney said it may take months or longer for FEMA and other agencies to fully recover from the shutdown’s disruption, but he hopes future shutdowns can be avoided.
“I don’t think they’re good public policy and they hurt the public,” Mullaney said.
President Donald Trump is expected to sign bipartisan legislation funding FEMA, the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration, the Secret Service and federal cybersecurity efforts.