"I oppose the federalization of emergency response efforts to natural disasters and other catastrophic events," said Republican Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, who once served as Bush's lieutenant governor.

Perry's comments came during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on the role federal, state and local officials should play in disaster response.

"I say leave first response to the first responders, leave decision-making in the hands of local and state leaders and leave for our military the most important job of fighting wars and keeping the peace," Perry said.

Perry's concerns were echoed by the president's brother, GOP Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida and Arizona Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano.

President Bush has called on the Defense Department and Congress to examine the issue in the wake of criticism over the response to Hurricane Katrina.

Napolitano said moving disaster planning and response "to Washington would be a disaster."

The governors said the more appropriate role for the military is to assist local governments in disaster response by bringing in equipment and other assets not available at the local level.

"There is a role for the military but at the direction of governors," Napolitano said.

But while the three governors were united in their opposition to providing the military with a greater role in disaster response, they differed -- along party lines -- over their assessment of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's response to Hurricane Katrina, which has come under intense scrutiny following what many viewed as its slow response to the hurricane.

"I can tell you, I appreciate FEMA's ability to work with states and communities that are prepared," said Gov. Bush, who outlined Florida's efforts to prepare for Hurricane Wilma. "We've never had problems with FEMA."

Perry stressed the importance of having good communications with federal officials. He also said that many of the first decisions about how to prepare and respond to natural disasters have to be made at the local and state level.

Despite his general praise of FEMA, the Florida governor said improvements need to be made in how FEMA reimburses communities for debris removal and provides housing for those displaced by natural disasters.