Homeland Chief’s Call to Ax FEMA Causes Bipartisan Heartburn

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are raising concerns after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she plans to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Noem made the comments Monday during a White House Cabinet meeting, catching many lawmakers and agency watchers by surprise amid a broader debate about how to overhaul the disaster management agency.

“There’s a hell of a lot of homework to be done” before the administration or Congress should decide FEMA’s fate, said Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), the House’s top homeland security appropriator in reaction to the news.

The apprehension among Republicans and Democrats alike highlights ...