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

By Ted Hesson and Nathan Layne WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday defended FEMA's response to deadly floods in Texas last week, saying her agency acted swiftly and that Texas officials had praised the administration's actions.

Homeland Security Kristi Noem hit back at The New York Times over a report finding thousands of victims couldn’t get through to FEMA as catastrophic flooding engulfed Central Texas. A Times report found the Federal Emergency Management Agency failed to answer “nearly two-thirds” of all distress calls from victims of the catastrophe,