From Staff Reports

WASHINGTON —President Donald J. Trump on Jan. 27 appointed U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-Flat Rock, to a task force to fix FEMA, according to a Jan. 27 press release from Edwards’ office.

In response, Edwards issued the following statement regarding the president’s appointment of him to the newly created FEMA task force:

“It is an honor to be named by President Trump to the FEMA task force to fix how this broken agency works. After being on the ground throughout the Hurricane Helene response, it’s clear that an overhaul of FEMA is necessary to more effectively and efficiently respond to natural disasters. 

“I look forward to lending the insights I’ve gained so that our nation will be fully prepared to prevent and respond to future disasters, and to save lives.”

On Jan. 24, Trump signed an executive order creating a task force to thoroughly review FEMA and provide recommendations to the president on ways to improve and make changes that will better serve the interest of the United States and promote the nation’s resilience.

The FEMA task force will be led by Michael Whatley, chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Edwards will serve on the newly formed FEMA task force along with U.S. Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx, who represents 10 counties in upper Western North Carolina— Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Caldwell, Guilford, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Watauga and Wilkes.

“The two congressional leaders from Western North Carolina will work to reshape the agency as it continues to respond to the devastating impacts from Tropical Storm Helene,” the Asheville Citizen Times stated.