WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Thursday, October 3rd, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does in fact have the funds needed for "immediate response and recovery" in the wake of Hurricane Helene, even though Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas reportedly warned about a potential "lack of money."
According to Fox News, FEMA spokesperson Jaclyn Rothenberg wrote on X, "FEMA has what it needs for immediate response and recovery efforts. As [Administrator Deanne Criswell] said, she has the full authority to spend against the President's budget, but we're not out of hurricane season yet so we need to keep a close eye on it." The agency had recently lifted immediate needs funding, which allows the agency to focus on urgent efforts and pause non-urgent projects, but Rothenberg said that the agency may still need to go back to that "and we will be watching it closely."
On Wednesday, October 2nd, Mayorkas made headlines when he went on record saying that FEMA does not have enough funding to make it through hurricane season, which lasts until November. He said, "We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have. We are expecting another hurricane hitting. FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season."
Mayorkas spoke on Air Force One as the states and the federal government continue to assess the damage from Hurricane Helene, which hit several states after making landfall in Florida just about a week ago.
The massive Hurricane has killed over 200 people with search and rescue crews still looking for missing people. Mayorkas calls echoed those by President Joe Biden, who said that Congress may need to pass a supplemental spending bill to help the states impacted by the hurricane.
Congress recently made $20 billion in immediate funding available for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund as part of a bipartisan deal to avoid a government shutdown at the end of September. However, Congress is out until mid-November, after Election Day. At the same event, Mayorkas later clarified his remarks, saying that the short-term funding does not give the agency stability.
He said, "We have the immediate needs right now. 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. It's very important to note that even though we're on a continuing resolution, we can obtain spend-fast funds so that we can dip into funds that are slated for the duration of the year to meet immediate needs."
He added, "So, we are meeting the moment, but that doesn't speak about the future and the fact, as I mentioned earlier, that these extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity, and we have to be funded for the sake of the American people. This is not a political issue."
On Capitol Hill, a source familiar with the congressional appropriations process also said that the Disaster Relief Funding is not in immediate danger of running out of money. That person said, "While we will not know the full cost of Helene until the first 30-day estimate comes in, FEMA ended last year with a little less than $2 billion (which carried over). The CR also provided them access to an additional $20.261 billion. That is roughly $22 billion in total for this fiscal year so far."
Even so, Mayorkas' remarks about a potential lack of funding drew criticism from some Republicans and conservatives, who had pointed to funding that was allegedly used by FEMA for grants to house and care for illegal immigrants who had crossed into the country via the southern border. On X, Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote, "Mayorkas and FEMA — immediately stop spending money on illegal immigration resettlement and redirect those funds to areas hit by the hurricane."
Critics also referenced the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) that reportedly spent $650 million in Fiscal Year 2023 on grants to non-profits and local organizations to assist immigrants that had illegally crossed the border. The Biden administration pushed back against that criticism, saying that the funding is appropriated by Congress and is completely separate from disaster relief funding.
A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "These claims are completely false. As Secretary Mayorkas said, FEMA has the necessary resources to meet the immediate needs associated with Hurricane Helene and other disasters. The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is a completely separate, appropriated grant program that was authorized and funded by Congress and is not associated in any way with FEMA's disaster-related authorities or funding streams."
White House spokesperson Angelo Fernandez Hernandez also called the claim that money had been spent on services for illegal immigrants instead "false." He said, "The Disaster Relief Fund is specifically appropriated by Congress to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate impacts of natural disasters. It is completely separate from other grant programs administered by FEMA or DHS."
According to Fox News, FEMA spokesperson Jaclyn Rothenberg wrote on X, "FEMA has what it needs for immediate response and recovery efforts. As [Administrator Deanne Criswell] said, she has the full authority to spend against the President's budget, but we're not out of hurricane season yet so we need to keep a close eye on it." The agency had recently lifted immediate needs funding, which allows the agency to focus on urgent efforts and pause non-urgent projects, but Rothenberg said that the agency may still need to go back to that "and we will be watching it closely."
On Wednesday, October 2nd, Mayorkas made headlines when he went on record saying that FEMA does not have enough funding to make it through hurricane season, which lasts until November. He said, "We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have. We are expecting another hurricane hitting. FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season."
Mayorkas spoke on Air Force One as the states and the federal government continue to assess the damage from Hurricane Helene, which hit several states after making landfall in Florida just about a week ago.
The massive Hurricane has killed over 200 people with search and rescue crews still looking for missing people. Mayorkas calls echoed those by President Joe Biden, who said that Congress may need to pass a supplemental spending bill to help the states impacted by the hurricane.
Congress recently made $20 billion in immediate funding available for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund as part of a bipartisan deal to avoid a government shutdown at the end of September. However, Congress is out until mid-November, after Election Day. At the same event, Mayorkas later clarified his remarks, saying that the short-term funding does not give the agency stability.
He said, "We have the immediate needs right now. 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. It's very important to note that even though we're on a continuing resolution, we can obtain spend-fast funds so that we can dip into funds that are slated for the duration of the year to meet immediate needs."
He added, "So, we are meeting the moment, but that doesn't speak about the future and the fact, as I mentioned earlier, that these extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity, and we have to be funded for the sake of the American people. This is not a political issue."
On Capitol Hill, a source familiar with the congressional appropriations process also said that the Disaster Relief Funding is not in immediate danger of running out of money. That person said, "While we will not know the full cost of Helene until the first 30-day estimate comes in, FEMA ended last year with a little less than $2 billion (which carried over). The CR also provided them access to an additional $20.261 billion. That is roughly $22 billion in total for this fiscal year so far."
Even so, Mayorkas' remarks about a potential lack of funding drew criticism from some Republicans and conservatives, who had pointed to funding that was allegedly used by FEMA for grants to house and care for illegal immigrants who had crossed into the country via the southern border. On X, Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote, "Mayorkas and FEMA — immediately stop spending money on illegal immigration resettlement and redirect those funds to areas hit by the hurricane."
Critics also referenced the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) that reportedly spent $650 million in Fiscal Year 2023 on grants to non-profits and local organizations to assist immigrants that had illegally crossed the border. The Biden administration pushed back against that criticism, saying that the funding is appropriated by Congress and is completely separate from disaster relief funding.
A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "These claims are completely false. As Secretary Mayorkas said, FEMA has the necessary resources to meet the immediate needs associated with Hurricane Helene and other disasters. The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is a completely separate, appropriated grant program that was authorized and funded by Congress and is not associated in any way with FEMA's disaster-related authorities or funding streams."
White House spokesperson Angelo Fernandez Hernandez also called the claim that money had been spent on services for illegal immigrants instead "false." He said, "The Disaster Relief Fund is specifically appropriated by Congress to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate impacts of natural disasters. It is completely separate from other grant programs administered by FEMA or DHS."
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Comments
2024-10-05T17:20-0400 | Comment by: Dennis
I was in New Orleans for three months working security during Katrina. Never saw Fema till my last day there, everyone asked me where they were. Fema, and Makrois are both worthless
2024-10-05T17:20-0400 | Comment by: Dennis
I was in New Orleans for three months working security during Katrina. Never saw Fema till my last day there, everyone asked me where they were. Fema, and Makrois are both worthless
2024-10-05T19:31-0400 | Comment by: L
Mayorkas is disgusting along with Biden/Harris they don't care about citizens of this country. Taxpayers money should not be used to support any of these illegals, deport them now. So tired of democrats using money that's intended for things like FEMA and diverting it to whatever they want.
2024-10-05T19:39-0400 | Comment by: L
The sad $750 FEMA is offering but nobody seems to be getting since you had to be basically homeless prior to the storm is a joke. Saying if these people had homeowners insurance that exempted them for the $750. We all know none of these people's homeowners is going to pay for anything since this was a flood unless living in the mountains they happened to buy flood insurance. I just going to guess if you're illegal you will get anything you want. Biden/Harris need to be held accountable for this. This is what happens when you use money/employees for FEMA to support illegals now Americans are going without, makes no sense.
2024-10-05T20:06-0400 | Comment by: Allan
I did Katrina work for 8 years with SP and Methodist Church. All I ECER seen the Fed govt do was roads, schools, port, USAF base. After the 2nd yr, No Govt. The insurance companies and contractors screwed over a lot of the people. I will never wait for govt help. Be as prepared you can be for multiple issues. Good boy scout then good Marine.
2024-10-05T20:06-0400 | Comment by: Allan
I did Katrina work for 8 years with SP and Methodist Church. All I ECER seen the Fed govt do was roads, schools, port, USAF base. After the 2nd yr, No Govt. The insurance companies and contractors screwed over a lot of the people. I will never wait for govt help. Be as prepared you can be for multiple issues. Good boy scout then good Marine.
2024-10-05T23:19-0400 | Comment by: Nelson
Sorry The federal government can't help you But don't worry the illegal aliens are getting your money Our current administration doesn't care about you Thank you joe Biden
2024-10-05T23:19-0400 | Comment by: Nelson
Sorry The federal government can't help you But don't worry the illegal aliens are getting your money Our current administration doesn't care about you Thank you joe Biden
2024-10-06T08:40-0400 | Comment by: EMIL
Although Asheville NC is having serious water issues, most affected areas experienced wind and tornadoes which are covered by homeowners insurance if it is available and affordable. We must stop the flood of immigrants and concentrate on supporting our citizens and elderly. END WOKENESS NOW
2024-10-06T15:47-0400 | Comment by: Chris
These problems lie squarely in the hands of congress. These actions are being carried out by corrupt leadership in government agencies, but it is congress that keeps funding them and sending our money to Ukraine while Americans go unaided.
2024-10-06T18:19-0400 | Comment by: Nelson
You wanna bet they're not gonna have enough money ? They're gonna give each American $25.50And then that's it but don't worry the legal aliens are gonna be And that's it but don't worry the legal aliens are gonna be getting $5,000 a month How does that happen
2024-10-06T18:19-0400 | Comment by: Nelson
You wanna bet they're not gonna have enough money ? They're gonna give each American $25.50And then that's it but don't worry the legal aliens are gonna be And that's it but don't worry the legal aliens are gonna be getting $5,000 a month How does that happen
2024-10-06T18:19-0400 | Comment by: Nelson
You wanna bet they're not gonna have enough money ? They're gonna give each American $25.50And then that's it but don't worry the legal aliens are gonna be And that's it but don't worry the legal aliens are gonna be getting $5,000 a month How does that happen
2024-10-06T18:19-0400 | Comment by: Nelson
You wanna bet they're not gonna have enough money ? They're gonna give each American $25.50And then that's it but don't worry the legal aliens are gonna be And that's it but don't worry the legal aliens are gonna be getting $5,000 a month How does that happen
2024-10-06T18:19-0400 | Comment by: Nelson
You wanna bet they're not gonna have enough money ? They're gonna give each American $25.50And then that's it but don't worry the legal aliens are gonna be And that's it but don't worry the legal aliens are gonna be getting $5,000 a month How does that happen
2024-10-06T20:39-0400 | Comment by: Carlton
This election seals the fate of America.
2024-10-06T20:42-0400 | Comment by: Carlton
This election seals the fate of America.