By Courtney Rozen and Nathan Layne

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended a hiring freeze through at least the end of this year, according to three sources familiar with the matter, as the peak of hurricane season approaches.

The Trump administration froze hiring government-wide through October 15, with exceptions for public safety employees and a few other categories. FEMA is extending that freeze, according to the sources.

FEMA did not immediately comment on the extension. The agency said in a statement on Friday that reductions in its workforce are not impacting its ability to respond to disasters.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is “implementing President Trump’s mandate to cut waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government, of whi

See Full Page