Texas Governor Greg Abbott (top left) and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (top right).
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(by Steven Nelson, NY Post) WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas set off outrage Wednesday when he told reporters that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) “does not have the funds” to see Americans through the rest of this Atlantic hurricane season — after draining his department’s emergency [funds] this year to address the migrant crisis.
“We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have,” Mayorkas said during a press gaggle on Air Force One en route to tour damage from Hurricane Helene in South and North Carolina.
“We are expecting another hurricane hitting,” he added. “We do not have the funds. FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season and what — what is imminent.”
Critics pointed out that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has allocated $640.9 million this year [with a total of $1.4 billion in the past two years] in FEMA-administered funds to aid state and local governments coping with the influx of asylum seekers.
“This is easy. Mayorkas and FEMA — immediately stop spending money on illegal immigration resettlement and redirect those funds to areas hit by the hurricane. Put Americans first,” Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted Wednesday.
“Yeah!” added Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX.
Abbott is a top critic of Mayorkas’ mass parole of asylum seekers into the US after President Biden [canceled] former President Donald Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy — with the governor busing migrants to Democrat-led jurisdictions [that are sanctuary cities] such as New York City, forcing local budget cuts to house them.
DHS allocated $780 million for the migrant crisis last year through the FEMA Shelter and Services Program and the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
[So far], $4 million has been paid directly to families and individuals in the week since Hurricane Helene ravaged the Southeast, killing at least 202 people and causing severe flooding damage from Florida to North Carolina, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday.Those funds are from a $10 million FEMA allocation that allows storm victims grants of $750 for groceries.
Biden said Wednesday during an operational briefing on Hurricane Helene in North Carolina that “It’s going to cost billions of dollars to deal with this storm and all the communities affected. And Congress has an obligation to ensure the states have the resources they need.”
Those comments stoked outrage among congressional Republicans, who are not due back in session until after Election Day.
“FEMA spending over a billion dollars on illegals while they leave Americans stranded and without help is treasonous. U.S. citizens are dying. Pray for our country folks,” Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) tweeted.
Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) added: “‘The Biden-Harris FEMA spent over $1 BILLION on funding illegal aliens. America LAST.”
“Connect the dots, if you can,” wrote Tim Murtaugh, an adviser to former President Donald Trump’s campaign. “DHS says FEMA might not have enough cash to help people through hurricane season. But in 2 years of a new Biden-Harris program, they’ve spent $1 BILLION on housing and other services for migrants.”
FEMA did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Published at nypost .com on Oct. 3, 2024. Reprinted here for educational purposes only. May not be reproduced on other websites without permission.
Samaritan’s Purse has begun relief efforts in the affected states. Find out how they are helping at samaritanspurse.org.
The Cajun Navy, a volunteer group that provides immediate rescue and relief during natural disasters is also working in the affected states. Visit the website at cajunnavyrelief.com. (See links to their social media at bottom of homepg)
Questions
1. What is the purpose of FEMA?
2. How is the Secretary of Homeland Security connected to FEMA?
3. What concerning announcement did DHS Secretary Mayorkas make when talking to reporters Wednesday?
4. Why are critics (mainly Republicans) upset with Secretary Mayorkas’ announcement?
5. a) What suggestion/request did Texas Gov. Greg Abbot make in response to Secretary Mayorkas’ announcement?
b) Do you agree or disagree with Gov. Abbot? Explain your answer.
6. So far, in the week since the Hurricane hit, affected families and individuals have been given $750 for groceries.
At least 200 people lost their lives. Many thousands also lost everything – people need food, water, shelter, clothing, medical supplies, building materials… Roads and bridges need to be rebuilt. Cell service and power need to be restored.
FEMA is out of money – but spent well over $1 billion to feed, house, give medical, etc. to people who entered the US illegally.
Are claims that the federal government is putting Americans LAST unfair? Explain your answer.
Background
What is FEMA?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), initially created under President Jimmy Carter…in 1979.
The agency’s primary purpose is to coordinate the response to a disaster that has occurred in the U.S. and that overwhelms the resources of local and state authorities.
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Congress passed the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to better coordinate among the different federal agencies that deal with law enforcement, disaster preparedness and recovery, border protection and civil defense.
FEMA was absorbed into DHS in 2003. As a result, FEMA became part of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of Department of Homeland Security, employing more than 2,600 full-time employees. It became Federal Emergency Management Agency again on March 31, 2007, but remained in DHS.
In 2018, FEMA had an annual budget of $18 billion that is used and distributed in different states according to the emergencies that occur in each one. An annual list of the use of these funds is disclosed at the end of the year on FEMA’s website. (from wikipedia)
Resources
Migrant aid under fire as DHS issues warning on FEMA funding:
Mayorkas warns FEMA doesn’t have enough funding to last through hurricane season – Local NBC News 3 Las Vegas – Oct. 3, 2024:
Truckers deal with hundreds of road closures – CBS 17:
Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
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