July 31, 2025 (Chester, PA) — On July 31, Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), and Sarah McBride (DE-AL) visited the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art in Chadds Ford to highlight the risks of dismantling agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which includes the National Weather Service (NWS), and reducing resources aimed at addressing climate resilience. 

 In September 2021, Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art experienced devastating flooding from Hurricane Ida, resulting in more than $10 million in structural and equipment damages. Nearly four years later, the museum is still recovering. Thanks to FEMA and additional state funding, Brandywine has completed most of the repairs and structural improvements to help the museum withstand future flooding events. The Members received a briefing from the Director of the Brandywine Conservancy on the damage and mitigation efforts and received a tour of the repairs and construction. Photos from the event can be found here.

"Flooding and destruction from hurricanes and other climate catastrophes are not limited to coastal communities, as Hurricane Ida and its aftermath tragically illustrated," said Rep. Houlahan. "Our communities are still recovering from that and subsequent storm damage, and the Trump administration's slashing of National Weather Service and FEMA funding, firing their staffs and dismantling their infrastructure is both irrational and dangerous, not only for our constituents but all Americans."

“As we see more extreme weather events impacting our region, the National Weather Service and FEMA are even more critical to predicting and responding to those weather events when they impact our communities,” said Rep. Scanlon. “Cutting funding to these vital agencies and the services they provide will not only endanger our communities but prevent them from fully recovering after a disaster. I will continue to fight for essential programs and funding so individuals, businesses, and organizations in PA-05 can access federal support when they need it.

“As the lowest-lying state in the nation, we know the devastating impact from rising water and powerful storms,” said Rep. McBride. “We’ve seen how important FEMA and the National Weather Service are when it comes to saving lives, protecting property, and helping communities recover. Cutting their funding puts families in danger. I’m proud to stand with Reps. Scanlon and Houlahan today to highlight the urgent need to protect these agencies. Delaware understands better than most: when disaster strikes, these agencies help keep us safe and ensure we can rebuild.”

In May, the Trump Administration submitted the annual budget request to Congress. In that budget, President Trump proposed cutting $2.2 billion from NOAA, which houses NWS. The NWS is responsible for issuing watches, warnings, and advisories to alert the public and emergency responders about potential flooding. The Administration’s budget also proposed cutting nearly $1 billion in grant funding from FEMA. Communities and first responders nationwide utilize FEMA funding to better prepare for disasters and to bolster security, but President has called for shuttering FEMA in favor of moving disaster funding and response to the states.

In April, the Trump Administration also announced the termination of FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, leading to multiple previously awarded grants being terminated. The BRIC program was a major source of funding for climate resilience projects, like the Brandywine Flood Study released in 2025.