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U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to immediately release federal funds for First Step Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. In a letter to the agency, Congresswoman Dingell rejected the administration’s claims of the funds as “fraud, waste, and abuse” and emphasized that continued delays have forced shelter closures and reduced lifesaving services for survivors across Southeast Michigan.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below:

Dear Mr. Fenton:

This letter is regarding the unsatisfactory and disappointing response to the letter I sent on December 18, 2025 regarding the status of Emergency Food and Shelter Program (ESFP) funding for First Step Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, specifically the claim that this funding is being reviewed in the interest of rooting out “fraud, waste, and abuse” to “deliver accountability for the American taxpayers."

The funding authorized through EFSP is essential. It not only provides financial support for basic necessities but allows victim service providers who serve survivors of domestic violence, such as First Step, to continue funding lifesaving services for survivors across Southeast Michigan. The EFSP program funds are not waste, fraud, or abuse; these funds create the foundation for services rooted in comfort, stability, and nourishment during a survivor’s healing journey.

Despite the importance of these funds, organizations are still unable to access them. Since August of 2025, my staff has worked to obtain information on the status of ESFP funds and other critical funding that supports survivors without resolution. The continued lapse in funding has created a precarious financial situation for victim service providers resulting in a reduction of services, program instability, and shelter closures.

Additional administrative burden in the name of addressing “fraud, waste and abuse” has severely exacerbated the financial challenges facing organizations who provide critical resources and whose budgets and capacity are already strained.

Instead of supporting survivors of domestic violence, actions that delay funding they depend on and lack clarity will only make it more difficult for them to seek safety and justice. I urge you to take measures to ensure EFSP grant funding is released with a clear timeline for disbursement.