Kamala Harris’s campaign has recently called out 99 Republican lawmakers for opposing FEMA funding just two weeks ago.
This opposition came during a vote on a $20 billion disaster relief package on September 25, which ultimately passed both the House and Senate. However, all 82 representatives and 18 senators who voted against it were Republicans.
Notably, this includes representatives from areas heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, like Florida’s Matt Gaetz, Georgia’s Marjorie Taylor Greene, and South Carolina’s Senator Tim Scott.
On October 7, the Harris campaign shared a list of these lawmakers on X, previously known as Twitter, stating, “These are the Republicans who voted against FEMA funding two weeks ago.” The post garnered over 2 million views, generating a mix of reactions.
Some detractors cited concerns over how FEMA manages funds. For instance, Representative Scott Perry, the chair of the Economic Development Subcommittee, expressed that he believes FEMA misuses taxpayer money to promote climate-related initiatives, arguing that such matters should lie with individual states.
Some Republican leaders, such as Texas Governor Greg Abbott, have claimed FEMA focuses more on aiding migrants than on American citizens, a statement FEMA has disputed, insisting no funds are diverted from disaster response.
Currently, FEMA is mobilizing nearly 7,000 federal employees to deliver essential supplies like food, water, and equipment across states devastated by Hurricane Helene. As Florida braces for Hurricane Milton, FEMA’s role becomes even more critical.
The agency is also combating misinformation about its operations through a dedicated Rumor Response page on its website.
FEMA asserts that its assistance is available to all, regardless of various demographics such as race, religion, or economic status.
As Florida prepares for another potential disaster, local officials emphasize the need for community support and advice compliance with emergency protocols. Discussions are already in progress about future funding necessary for disaster responses to upcoming challenges.