by Eric Lendrum
Republicans on a top congressional committee have launched an investigation into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over its “priorities” after reports emerged claiming that the agency spent most of its money aiding illegal aliens, to the point that it had little money left to deal with the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
According to Fox News, a letter was issued by members of the majority on the the House Homeland Security Committee, declaring that the committee “is investigating [DHS’] prioritization of its ability to adequately respond to natural disasters.”
The scandal began when DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), admitted that FEMA does not have enough money to provide stable relief for the entirety of this year’s hurricane season, after Hurricane Helene struck six southeastern states and Hurricane Milton hit Florida.
“We have the immediate needs right now,” Mayorkas tried to claim in a backpedal. “On a continuing resolution, we have funds, but that is not a stable source of supply, if you will. This is a multibillion-dollar, multiyear recovery.”
Conservatives soon began pointing out that, under the Biden-Harris Administration, FEMA has repeatedly funded alleged non-profits and other groups that aim to provide financial assistance to illegal aliens. This year alone, FEMA has funded illegals to the tune of $650 million. By contrast, FEMA’s offer to victims of the recent hurricanes consisted of a mere $750 per person.
“The Committee…is troubled that the Department and FEMA may not have properly apprised Congress of its need for additional disaster relief funds while simultaneously requesting large sums of monies to fund FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program (SSP), a grant program to fund non-federal entities for shelter and services provided to migrants encountered by the Department, including illegal aliens,” the lawmakers’ letter continued.
In total, it is estimated that FEMA has distributed over $1.4 billion through the SSP and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for humanitarian aid.
Last week, a group of Republican Senators sent a letter to the White House asking if a “continued entanglement in DHS’s efforts to respond to the border crisis could impact its readiness and emergency response mission.” The letter also noted that “FEMA’s efforts responding to the border crisis could have been much more limited if your Administration would have instead used your authorities to secure the border.”
Hurricane Helene impacted the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and parts of Tennessee and Virginia. It was followed less than a week later by Hurricane Milton, which impacted Florida.
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Eric Lendrum reports for American Greatness.
Photo “FEMA” by FEMA.
