U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith recently addressed concerns about the future of FEMA and Mississippi State University’s role in unmanned aircraft systems during a budget review hearing for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The hearing, which took place before the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, featured testimony from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem regarding the agency’s fiscal year 2026 budget request.
The proposed budget includes a $646 million reduction for FEMA non-disaster grant programs, while recommending an overall increase of $43.8 billion for DHS. Hyde-Smith expressed concern about how these changes might impact Mississippi, a state frequently affected by weather-related disasters.
“I would like to briefly mention the proposed reductions to the FEMA budget. In Mississippi, we have hurricanes. We have tornadoes, and FEMA has been part of my life ever since I’ve been in public office,” Hyde-Smith said. She questioned how DHS plans to ensure continued support for states like Mississippi in preparing for and recovering from emergencies.
Secretary Noem responded by stating that reforms will focus on empowering local responders with federal support as needed. “President Trump has been very clear that he believes that the way that FEMA exists today should not continue,” she explained.
Hyde-Smith also emphasized Mississippi’s contributions to homeland security and sought assurance of continued support for projects at Mississippi State University related to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The university is involved in Project JUSTICE, which focuses on research and development in this area.
“Mississippi has a proud legacy of supporting DHS missions across multiple domains,” Hyde-Smith noted, highlighting various contributions made by the state to national security efforts.
Noem confirmed DHS’s commitment to continuing its partnership with Project JUSTICE and acknowledged its importance: “The JUSTICE program is very important and is being continued going forward.”
This hearing is part of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s process to draft annual appropriations bills funding federal activities for the upcoming fiscal year starting October 1.
