Press Releases
Republicans Demand Answers from FEMA Administrator at HearingTransportation and Infrastructure Committee Republicans today demanded answers from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell about her agency’s troubling responses to recent disasters and crises, including the amount FEMA resources devoted to addressing the southern border crisis, the slow response pace in some rural areas of the country, and reports that FEMA workers avoided some homes in Florida and other states that displayed campaign signs for President-elect Trump. The Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee called on Criswell to testify at a congressional hearing, along with Representatives Chuck Edwards of North Carolina and Kathy Castor of Florida, whose districts were hit by recent hurricanes. During the hearing, Committee Republicans repeatedly expressed disbelief that discrimination based on political affiliation could be condoned anywhere within the agency. In his opening statement, T&I Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) said, “This committee has highlighted concerns that the Biden Administration has prioritized equity, climate change, and assistance to migrants over disaster victims and readiness and response efforts. And then we add on top of all of this the recent shocking reports that FEMA workers purposefully avoided hurricane impacted homes that displayed signs in support of President Trump. Each of these reports alone is unacceptable – but combined they show a pattern of incompetence from the agency.”
Subcommittee Chairman Scott Perry (R-PA) questioned Criswell about the firing of one FEMA employee regarding the policy to avoid homes with Trump campaign signs, despite that employee’s claims that she was only following the instructions provided by her supervisors.
Chairman Perry and Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL) both got the Administrator’s assurance that she wants an independent investigation into the matter by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) stressed that FEMA should operate as a nonpartisan agency and that Americans have the freedom to express their views under the first amendment shouldn’t have to worry about an agency such as FEMA using it against them.
Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-IN) called on FEMA to address the lack of trust that disaster victims and other Americans may have in light of the agency’s recent responses and troubling allegations that some homes were avoided.
Committee Republicans raised a number of other concerns as well. Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA) discussed the $750 available to disaster victims through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, and compared that to the approximately $10,000, by his estimate, in funding available to illegal migrants through FEMA and non-profits that work with the agency.
While Members acknowledged that $750 is not the maximum amount of aid available to a disaster victim, they noted that American citizens often struggle to access additional funding because of red tape and a lack of clear and consistent communication from FEMA. Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) asked Administrator Criswell, “Do you not see the inequity?”
Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS) raised issues with FEMA delays of projects still needed in Mississippi 20 years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Rep. Garret Graves and Chairman Perry discussed how one non-profit organization of volunteers who offer rescue and relief services during disasters – the United Cajun Navy – appears to be able to mobilize quickly during disasters. Rep. Graves entered in the hearing record a letter from a representative of the Cajun Navy detailing their organization’s experiences in responding to Hurricane Helene, and concerns about FEMA’s response. Click here to read the Cajun Navy’s submission for the record. Click here for more information from today’s hearing, including full video and witness testimony. |
