FEMA's Stuck in Noem-an's Land

US News

FEMA's Stuck in Noem-an's Land

What’s going on: Senate Democrats are urging Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to scrap a policy that requires her personal approval for certain FEMA spending, saying it’s delaying tens of millions in disaster relief. If it costs more than $100,000, it lands on Noem’s desk for sign-off. And that’s creating a paperwork purgatory. In a new report, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee said internal DHS tracking data found 1,034 FEMA contracts, grants, and disaster aid awards were delayed or pending after the policy took effect in June. It also found that most approvals took three weeks, with others taking longer. DHS pushed back, telling The Washington Post there’s “no evidence” of widespread delays.

The impact: Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), who led the report alongside Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ), said Noem’s policy is causing “serious harm” and puts “the safety of communities in need at risk.” Some of the delays included rental units for Hurricane Helene survivors in North Carolina, unemployment assistance tied to disasters in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kentucky, plus housing inspections and crisis counseling. A FEMA official told WaPo that some states have already dipped into rainy-day funds to cover unemployment benefits for disaster survivors while they wait for money that was already promised. The report also raises questions about whether Noem’s directive clashes with a post-Katrina law designed to ensure FEMA acts quickly when disasters hit. Safe to say John Oliver’s going to have something to say about this. 

Related: One Senator Skewered Noem’s FEMA Leadership (WCNC)

The News in 5

🗞️ Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US won’t let up on its attacks on Iran anytime soon. That’s as President Donald Trump says the US can fight “forever” — though stockpile data suggests he might want to recount.

🗞️ The House Oversight Committee voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi in the Epstein probe.

🗞️ The CDC just issued a travel alert for 32 countries, including major European ones, due to the spread of polio.

🗞️ New endometriosis guidance means doctors can finally diagnose based on your symptoms alone — no surgery required.

🗞️ United Airlines can now ban our least favorite type of passenger. How do we make this a national effort?

Politics

The Return of the Texas Tease

What's going on: We’ve been here before — think 2013 and former Texas Senator Wendy Davis in those pink filibuster tennis shoes. Perennially, Americans wonder if there’s a chance — even a sliver of one — that Texas could flip blue. Almost always, the answer is no. And yet. Democrats have their hopes up again after Rep. James Talarico’s stunning primary win. His message centered on compassion, centrism, and the radical idea that politics might involve kindness. A pastor in training, Talarico called President Donald Trump “a child of God.” His congenial, “aw shucks” approach helped him win (well, that and the publicity that came from a pulled appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert). Soon, Democrats were calling him the next Beto O'Rourke, and even pinning him on their strategy boards as a potential model candidate.

What’s next: First, the general election. Talarico still doesn’t know his opponent. Republicans will choose between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in an upcoming runoff. Many analysts believe Talarico would fare better against Paxton. But, as Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett learned, Texas politics can shift overnight. As for the bigger, albeit stale, question — a blue Texas? — the road remains long. Texas Monthly, however, points out there are different conditions this time. Primary results look promising, Talarico has cobbled together a good coalition, and if the run-off gets as messy as anticipated, it won’t be good for either Republican candidate (despite any Trump endorsement). There’s still a faint whiff of Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown. They say everything is bigger in Texas, and, for Democrats, that might include disappointment. 

Related: Republicans Have Already Taken Aim at Talarico (Politico)

Business

Did Streaming Just Get a Little More Complicated?

What's going on: After months of publicly yearning for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), Paramount Skydance sealed the deal — all it cost was $110 billion. For a while, it looked like nothing would get in between Netflix and WBD. However, Paramount CEO David Ellison made an offer Netflix couldn’t match: $31 per share, all cash, plus $45.7 billion in equity personally guaranteed by Oracle’s co-founder Larry Ellison, David’s father (nepo babies won this one). Netflix didn’t suffer a complete loss. The streaming giant’s stock shot up after news broke that things didn’t work out. It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

What it means (for you): The Ellisons already made it clear that HBO Max and Paramount+ will merge into one platform, meaning shows like Industry, The Pitt, and Landman will only be one login away. If you use both, you’ll have one less subscription to pay for — though it’s unclear how much the new platform will cost or what it’ll be called (likely not Max…again). Hollywood isn’t exactly breathing a sigh of relief. While David told investors that both studios will put out 15 movies a year (a boost), some are worried the credits might list AI as the star. And amid all the changes and turmoil at CBS, CNN now faces an uncertain future. The Ellisons’ close relationship with President Donald Trump might mean a right-wing makeover for the network, but don’t expect massive changes overnight.

Related: The Real Winner of the Merger? The NFL (The Athletic Gift Link)

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ Ladies of London: The New Reign premieres, with a two-hour episode at 9 pm ET — long live the drama.

🗓️ The 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards is tonight in Los Angeles (and streams on Hulu March 21).

🗓️ Arnold Palmer Invitational begins in Orlando, FL — with $20 million up for grabs, including $4 million for the winner.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

Know It All

Some people are adding this genius (or terrifying?) ingredient to their cocktails for an extra boost. What is it?

Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Mallory Simon, Molly Longman, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.