Twenty U.S. states, mainly led by Democrats, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent the cancellation of a major disaster preparedness grant scheme.
The suit, submitted to a Boston federal court, challenges the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision to end the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) programme, which supported infrastructure improvements to help communities withstand floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.
The states argue that FEMA overstepped its authority in shutting down the programme, which Congress had both authorised and funded.
“By unilaterally shutting down FEMA’s flagship pre-disaster mitigation programme, Defendants have acted unlawfully and violated core separation of powers principles,” the plaintiffs’ statement reads.
Launched in 2018, BRIC funded up to 75% of eligible projects (and 90% in rural areas), aiding efforts like flood defences and evacuation centres. In the past four years, nearly 2,000 projects received support, especially in disaster-prone regions.
FEMA justified the cancellation by describing BRIC as “wasteful, ineffective and politicised,” a claim criticised by state and local officials. The lawsuit also calls into question whether senior FEMA officials at the time had the proper authority to terminate the scheme.
The dispute follows recent deadly flooding in Texas, showing the need for robust disaster planning.
“By abruptly and unlawfully shutting down the BRIC programme, this administration is abandoning states and local communities that rely on federal funding to protect their residents and, in the event of disaster, save lives,” Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell stated.
The states are seeking an immediate court order to restore the programme as legal proceedings continue, with the outcome likely to influence federal disaster policy across the country.