The Department of Homeland Security secretary defended the federal government's response and denied that policy changes slowed the agency's deployment.

The federal response to the flash flooding disaster in Texas has come under scrutiny. President Trump, who has called for cuts to FEMA, praised the agency during his recent visit to Texas, but did not comment on his plans for its future.

President Donald Trump has avoided talk of scrapping the federal disaster response agency after the catastrophic flash flood in Texas that killed more than 100 people, including children at an all-girls camp.

Cuts made to the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Trump administration severely impaired its ability to respond to the devastating floods in central Texas.

Multiple urban search and rescue teams from across the country that responded to the deadly floods in central Texas told CNN they were not deployed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency until at least Monday evening — days after any victim had been found alive.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denied reports suggesting the deployment of resources to Texas was delayed because of her new rule requiring her personal sign off on all FEMA contracts or

Gov. Greg Abbott announced the federal declaration Friday after formally requesting it for the Austin-area counties Thursday afternoon.

Many states, including Texas, have not used billions of dollars from FEMA intended to reduce damage from flooding and other disasters