Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana criticized the Biden administration’s response to Hurricane Helene, calling it a lack of leadership. He expressed his disappointment with President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas for their handling of the disaster. Johnson mentioned that Congress had allocated $20 billion for FEMA in the short-term federal funding bill, but the administration still failed to respond effectively.
After touring the affected areas in Florida, Georgia, and soon North Carolina, Johnson warned that the recovery from Hurricane Helene could be one of the most expensive in the country’s history. He emphasized the need for accurate assessments by state and local authorities before Congress could take further action in terms of financial aid.
Johnson also raised concerns about FEMA’s response and its funding, linking it to accusations of diverting disaster aid funds to support illegal immigrants at the border through the Shelter and Services Program (SSP). The White House and DHS denied these claims, stating that disaster relief funds were not used for migrant housing services.
When asked about the controversies surrounding the misuse of funds, Johnson criticized Mayorkas for mismanaging DHS and emphasized the importance of FEMA focusing on helping Americans recover from disasters rather than diverting resources to other programs. House Republicans are actively working to defund the SSP program in the current federal funding discussions for fiscal year 2025 to prevent any misuse of taxpayer dollars.
In conclusion, Johnson stressed the need for effective leadership and proper allocation of resources to ensure a swift and efficient recovery process after Hurricane Helene. He called for transparency and accountability in the handling of disaster relief funds to prioritize the needs of American citizens affected by natural disasters.
