The Federal Emergency Management Agency could remain without a permanent administrator through the peak of hurricane season this year despite a Senate committee confirming President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the agency Wednesday.
Cameron Hamilton is widely expected to win confirmation from the full Senate, but potentially not before the chamber starts a five-week recess Aug. 8.
FEMA has been led since May by acting Administrator Bob Fenton, a widely respected agency veteran who has previously held his current position. Hamilton has been a FEMA adviser since April.
The former Navy SEAL and Republican congressional candidate won support Wednesday from all eight Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and Democrat John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. The committee approved Hamilton on a quick roll-call vote with no discussion.
The six other committee Democrats opposed Hamilton, including ranking member Gary Peters of Michigan, who said after the hearing the nominee “failed to demonstrate the experienced leadership FEMA needs right now.”
“He brushed aside concerns about the administration’s politicization of disaster relief and did not provide Congress or the American people with answers about the agency’s direction as the White House considers sweeping changes to FEMA,” Peters said, referring to Hamilton’s June 17 confirmation hearing.
Hamilton was FEMA’s acting administrator from the start of Trump’s second term until he was fired in May 2025 after calling the agency essential, contradicting Trump’s vows at the time to abolish or weaken FEMA. Hamilton also clashed with his boss, then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whom Trump fired in March.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) may move to take up Hamilton by himself or as part of an en-bloc package of nominees. Other energy and environment picks are also awaiting floor time.
