Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has warned that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) does not have enough funds to get through the remainder of this hurricane season. Hurricane season started off quieter than expected, but the hurricanes wreaked havoc. Helene usually runs until the end of November.
Thursday’s warning underscored how exhausted the federal government is, as Republican leaders have indicated they will not provide additional funding to the federal government.
“We are meeting immediate needs with the funds we have. More hurricanes are expected,” Mayorkas said. “Fema doesn’t have the funds to get through the season.”
Mayorkas’ comments come after the massive storm made landfall in Florida a week ago as a Category 4 hurricane, affecting 10 states and killing at least 215 people overall. It was issued while providing emergency assistance to those affected.
More than 150,000 households have registered for Fema assistance, according to the Associated Press, and the agency expects that number to grow.
Congress recently approved $20 billion for FEMA as part of a supplemental spending bill, giving the agency authority to use the funds quickly. Joe Biden has proposed resuming the U.S. Congress’ recess, which is expected to last until the Nov. 5 presidential election, to pass additional funding for the agency.
“I may have to request that, but no decision has been made yet,” he said at the White House on Monday.
A bipartisan group of senators from affected states, including Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio of Florida and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, also urged Congress to allocate more emergency relief funds. I asked for it.
“The true level of destruction is still emerging, but Congress must act to address each state’s unmet needs and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by its constituents,” the group said in a letter Tuesday. It’s clear that we have to.” “This may even require Congress to reconvene in October to allow enough time to enact legislation before the end of the year.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated that additional funding would come from Congress, but that he would not immediately convene Congress to pass the bill. He expected more funding to come after Election Day, when Congress returns from recess, and said the extent of the damage “will take some time to tally,” Politico reported.
Other Republicans have suggested Fema is well-funded.
“With up to $20 billion available, there will be no shortage of funds to respond to natural disasters. No additional funds were added, but they will be available sooner and all my concerns will be resolved. ” Sen. John Kennedy, a far-right Republican from Louisiana and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, told The Hill. “We will discuss that in December, especially if natural disasters continue.”
Biden told reporters Thursday while touring disaster-hit areas in Florida and Georgia, rejecting any suggestion he might wait for more money. people need help now. ”
Donald Trump and other Republicans have used the shortfall to criticize Biden and Kamala Harris for spending money to help immigrants. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, also handles immigration issues.
Get the most important US headlines and highlights sent straight to your email every morning
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may include information about charities, online advertising, and content sponsored by external parties. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and are subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
After newsletter promotion
“They stole Fema funds, just like they stole from banks, because they want illegal immigrants to vote this season,” Trump said Thursday in a speech in Michigan. said. President Trump is leaning into the myth of a non-referendum vote to cast doubt on the 2024 election.
Also, during a campaign stop in Michigan on Thursday, President Trump said of Helen’s victims, “They’re dying and they’re not getting any help from the federal government because their money shouldn’t be in our country.” Because it’s being used for people.” ”
In fact, the Biden-Harris administration said the government has provided $20 million in “flexible advance funding” for the disaster and sent 5,000 federal workers to help with recovery.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) echoed Trump’s criticism.
“Mr. Mayorkas and Mr. Fema should immediately end funding for the resettlement of illegal immigrants and redirect it to hurricane-affected areas. Put Americans first,” he tweeted.
Fema has spent more than $600 million on immigration assistance, and an agency spokesperson said it was misleading to suggest that money was provided at the expense of disaster relief.
“The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is a completely independent appropriation grant program authorized and funded by Congress and has no connection to Fema’s disaster authorities or funding streams,” the spokesperson said. a representative told NBC News.
