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Former President Donald Trump and his allies have argued that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is unable to adequately respond to the aftermath of Hurricane Helen because too much money is being diverted to aid migrants. Not true, FEMA’s funding for disaster relief efforts is very limited and separate from the money given to immigrant communities.
Former President Donald Trump arrives at Valdosta Regional Airport on Sept. 30 in Valdosta, Georgia…(+) to visit areas affected by Hurricane Helen.
Getty Images
important facts
President Trump has repeatedly claimed that FEMA has financial problems because of the money spent on immigrants, saying at a rally Thursday, “Kamala spent all the FEMA money on housing for illegal immigrants — what?” “We spent billions of dollars,” he said, quoting Fox News host Jesse Watters. , “FEMA is now starved of funds as Joe Biden and Kamala spent more than $1 billion in FEMA cash on immigrants.”
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Tuesday that FEMA’s disaster relief efforts are facing dire funding shortfalls, saying FEMA is using “the funds that we have” to “meet the immediate needs of Hurricane Helen recovery.” “We are responding,” but warned that “we don’t have enough funds.” This is money to get us through the (hurricane) season. ”
However, these fiscal problems are not due to money flowing to immigrants. Since the beginning of 2023, FEMA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have donated more than $1 billion to communities hosting immigrants through the agency’s shelter and services program. , an entirely different funding pot than disaster relief funds used to respond to hurricanes and other natural disasters.
FEMA said on its website that any claims that disaster funds were directed to border-related activities are “false” and that the Disaster Relief Fund is a dedicated fund for managing disasters and will be directed to the Fund. He pointed out that the funds were “not diverted to other purposes.” -Disaster-related initiatives. ”
Congress decides how much money goes into FEMA’s disaster fund, but in a stopgap funding bill passed last month, lawmakers declined to allocate additional funds for FEMA operations, leaving FEMA’s existing funding The fund faces problems because it was allowed to withdraw from $20 billion just by expanding the level. Deposit funds faster.
Democratic lawmakers had expressed concerns about FEMA’s budget even before the Helen earthquake, and that FEMA had to cut off funding for non-emergency rebuilding projects to conserve cash. Some are now demanding that Congress come back from recess to pass a bill that would create a disaster. More cash for relief funds.
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What to watch out for
Hurricane season continues until Nov. 30, with September and October typically the busiest months, so another hurricane could hit before the end of the month, making FEMA’s current funding levels difficult to respond to. The Associated Press points out that it is possible. It remains unclear whether lawmakers will return to Washington to pass additional funding before the end of the November recess. Even some Republicans are pushing to do so, including Sens. Lindsey Graham, R.C., and Rick Scott, R-Fla., from Helen-hit states. (including Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.), but House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, told the New York Times that “there is no need for Congress to return.” Ta.
big number
34 billion dollars. That’s roughly what Hurricane Helen’s damage could be, with up to $26 billion in property damage and an estimated $5 billion in associated economic losses, according to a forecast made Thursday by Moody’s Analytics. It is said to be worth ~$8 billion. Moody’s noted that these estimates are still early and subject to change as the extent of the damage becomes clearer.
Did Kamala Harris only donate $750 to hurricane victims?
Another claim by Trump and his allies is that Vice President Kamala Harris and the Biden administration only gave $750 to victims of the Helen tragedy and did nothing else. This is also incorrect, as FEMA says on its website that the $750 figure is for particularly severe needs assistance, which disaster victims can receive to pay for necessities such as food, water, and emergency supplies. They point out that this is immediate support. However, victims can apply for and receive additional assistance from FEMA, including funds for temporary housing and repairs.
Main background
Hurricane Helen caused widespread damage in parts of the South, including North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida, with an estimated death toll of 215. This natural disaster has also become a political topic of discussion ahead of the presidential election, as criticized by President Trump. The Biden administration’s response to disasters has often been by fabricating false accusations. President Trump claimed on Monday that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is “having a hard time getting calls to the president,” even though Kemp has revealed, for example, that he has spoken to Biden and the president. “The federal government’s response has been slow,” he said. If you need further assistance, I told you to call Kemp directly. Trump also claimed that Biden and Harris had “drowned the American people,” which is false given that the government has sent massive amounts of supplies and federal troops to the affected areas. allies point to FEMA’s unbiased efforts to claim that it is “number one.” The goal is to wake up. ” The Biden administration strongly condemns the claims of Trump and his allies: FEMA spokeswoman Jacquelyn Rosenberg said FEMA is “cooperating.”
all people, regardless of their background, as soon as possible.” Biden on Monday slammed Trump’s false claims, saying the former president was “lying.” “The reason I’m so angry about this is… I’m concerned about what he’s trying to say to people who are in need,” Biden said. “He’s implying that we’re not doing everything we can. We are.”
Read more
Hurricane Helen: Responding to Rumors (FEMA)
Trump and allies say Biden/Harris response to Hurricane Helen was inadequate (Forbes)
Hurricane Helen: 1,000 North Carolina-based soldiers directed to help southern states with recovery (Forbes)
