WASHINGTON – The struggle over the federal government’s role when disaster strikes is coming to a head as President Donald Trump grapples with whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency should continue — and in what form.

Trump’s Homeland Secretary chief Kristi Noem, who oversees FEMA, has a dramatically smaller vision of the federal government’s disaster response than a special task force set up by Trump. That group recommends a more expansive role for FEMA than Noem has.

Regardless of the final form, the efforts appear on track to shift much of the work to the states, with major changes in the way aid is given to home and business owners in a bid to speed getting money into communities after disaster strikes.

Fewer scuffles at the U.S Capitol carry more meaningful stakes for Lou

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