The Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will not have the funds needed for “immediate response and recovery” after Hurricane Helen, despite Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas' warning of a potential funding shortfall. He announced that he owns it.
“FEMA has what it takes for immediate response and recovery efforts,” spokeswoman Jaclyn Rothenberg said. said X. [Administrator Deanne Criswell] “She has full authority to spend against the president's budget, but hurricane season is not over yet, so we need to keep a close eye on it.”
Although the agency recently suspended funding for emergency needs, which allowed the agency to focus on urgent efforts and pause non-emergency projects, Rothenberg said the agency remains committed to its policy. He said he may have to return, adding: “We will be monitoring it closely.”
Hurricane Helen survivor says water level rose 4 feet within minutes
The remains of a house are seen in Lake Lure, North Carolina, after Hurricane Helen passes on October 2, 2024. (Alison Joyce/AFP via Getty Images)
Mayorkas made headlines Wednesday when he said there was not enough money to get through the hurricane season, which lasts until November.
“We are meeting immediate needs with the funds we have, and we are expecting another hurricane to hit,” Mayorkas said. “FEMA doesn't have the money to get us through the season.”
He spoke on Air Force Once as the state and federal government assessed the damage caused by Helen, which hit multiple states and killed more than 160 people. His call echoed that of President Biden, who said Congress may need to pass additional spending bills to help states.
Congress recently provided $20 billion in immediate funding to FEMA's disaster relief fund as part of a bipartisan agreement to avert a government shutdown late last month. However, parliament is currently in session until mid-November, after voting day.
Mayorkas later clarified his remarks at the same event, saying short-term funding does not bring stability to government agencies.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a briefing at the White House on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
“We have immediate needs right now. We have funding under continuing resolutions, but it's not a steady source, so to speak,” he said. “This is a multi-billion dollar, multi-year recovery.”
He said: “Despite our continuing resolutions, it is very important to note that spent fast funding is available to enable us to focus on funds earmarked for later in the year to address immediate needs. It’s important.” “So we're in this moment, but that doesn't speak to the future. And as I said earlier, these extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity, and we're doesn't talk about the fact that we need to fund it.'' This is not a political issue, Americans. ”
A person familiar with Congress's spending process also said the disaster relief fund is not in immediate danger of running out of money.
Fox Corporation begins donation drive for American Red Cross Hurricane Helen relief efforts
“We won't know the full amount for Helen until the first 30 days of estimates are available, but FEMA ended last year with just under $2 billion (rollover). CR also has access to an additional $20.261 billion. “This represents a total of approximately $22 billion so far this fiscal year,” they said.
Mayorkas' comments about a potential funding shortfall, meanwhile, prompted Republicans and conservatives to point out that FEMA uses funds to subsidize the detention and care of illegal immigrants who cross the southern border. It drew criticism from.
“The state of Mallorca and FEMA will immediately stop spending on the resettlement of illegal immigrants and redirect those funds to hurricane-affected areas,” Governor Greg Abbott said on the X program.
Critics noted that the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) spent $650 million in grants to nonprofits and local organizations that help immigrants in fiscal year 2023. But the Biden administration pushed back, pointing out that the money was appropriated by Congress and is completely separate from disaster relief funding.
“These claims are completely false,” a DHS spokesperson told FOX News Digital. “As Secretary Mayorkas stated, FEMA has the resources necessary to meet the immediate needs associated with Hurricane Helen and other disasters.The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is authorized and funded by Congress. It is a completely separate and allocated grant program provided and is not authorized by Congress in any way connected to FEMA's disaster authorities or funding sources.
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White House press secretary Angelo Fernandez Hernandez said claims that the funds were used for services for illegal immigrants are “false.”
“Disaster Relief Funds are specifically appropriated by Congress for the purpose of preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the effects of natural disasters. They are completely independent of other grant programs administered by FEMA for DHS. ”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
