As rescue efforts continue in Texas after devastating floods, questions are mounting about FEMA’s ability to respond—especially under Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who now requires her personal sign-off on major disaster spending over $100K.

Noem ordered that every FEMA contract and grant worth that exceeds $100,000 must cross her desk for approval, CNN reported in June. The latest reporting by the outlet insinuated that this rule “stripped [FEMA] of much of its autonomy” during the flood, which raged across at least six counties and killed over 120 people in the early hours of July 4.