With every new administration, the chess pieces are always moved around. In one of the latest cases, there is a debate over whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency should remain a part of the Department of Homeland Security or be stripped away. It may just sound like a bureaucratic fight, but the outcome definitely will have an impact on how the rescue agency operates and how quickly it can get to the people who need help.

The controversy arose in the wake of FEMA's dismal performance during and after Hurricane Katrina which left massive problems in New Orleans and environs after the hurricane hit. In the latest effort to keep FEMA a part of DHS, the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., and Ranking Member Susan Collins R-Maine., Tuesday released a series of documents showing that support for keeping FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to grow.

The documents came from eight first responder organizations that endorsed keeping FEMA as part of DHS. And a strong voice for keeping FEMA right where it is now came from the DHS Inspector General.

"Now is not the time to think short term, particularly when it comes to our homeland security," the IG wrote. "Thinking long term requires giving the Department of Homeland Security the time any large organization needs to mature. Thinking long term means giving the reforms introduced by the Post Katrina Reform Act time to work. Thinking long term means...ensuring that FEMA is positioned to continue as a vital component of our homeland security and emergency management infrastructure."

For more on FEMA:
- check out this Senate release

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FEMA news from FierceGovernmentIT