WASHINGTON (TNND) — All travel by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff will now require written approval from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the agency.
A bulletin shared with FEMA staff Friday stated that beginning on February 18, 2026 all travel by FEMA amid the partial government shutdown which is only impacting DHS funding “must be approved by the Department of Homeland Security.”
“Any new travel scheduled to begin February 18, 2026 or later, including disaster travel that is charged to the non-lapsing Disaster Relief Fund, must be authorized in writing by the Department of Homeland Security,” the bulletin stated, which was obtained by The Hill.
While FEMA is under the oversight of DHS; the agency possesses a separate fund called the Disaster Relief Fund, which is unaffected by the current appropriations lapse. As of January, there is roughly $7 billion available in the DRF, which assists in paying for recovery efforts in the wake of major disasters, including travel for FEMA staff.
The bulletin stated that “under no circumstances should any FEMA travelerbegin new travel prior to receiving DHS written approval.”
The memo comes just days after the DHS put restrictions on FEMA travel amid the appropriations lapse.
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The National News Desk reached out to DHS and FEMA for comment.
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