Ann X image It claims to show posts by Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz related to Hurricane Helen.
expose their lies pic.twitter.com/LNtiqvB5E8
— Change the system🪷💙 (@ChangeTheSyst14) October 1, 2024
Verdict: Misleading
This post is two years old and refers to Hurricane Ian, not Hurricane Helen.
Fact check:
Hurricane Helen claimed the title of the deadliest land-based hurricane since 2005, killing more than 230 people and destroying entire towns. According to ABC News.
On September 30th, a post was shared by X with the caption, “Accuse them of their lies.” It shows Gates' post and a response from Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly, suggesting the post is recent.
This claim is misleading. image capture post Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, referring to victims of natural disasters, called on the federal government to provide aid to “our fellow Floridians in dire need.” The post, by Gaetz, implored Congress to provide “half of what we sent to Ukraine.” The date of the post is October 2, 2022.
To members of Congress:
On behalf of my fellow Floridians who are in dire need of assistance…
Please send about half of the amount you sent to Ukraine.
Signed,
your fellow Americans
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) October 2, 2022
The call came amid the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, which hit Florida in 2022, nearly two years before the ongoing disaster of Hurricane Helen. Connolly responded to Gates' post, saying Congress “passed a bill that includes $18.8 billion for FEMA's hurricane response.” He added that “every Florida Republican, including Matt Gaetz, voted against this proposal.” This post is also dated October 2, 2022.
On Friday, we passed legislation that includes $18.8 billion for FEMA's hurricane response.
All Florida Republicans, including Matt Gaetz, voted no. https://t.co/N7uxZScWHM
— Congressman Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) October 2, 2022
Gates' original post came after he voted against a budget bill that included several different relief provisions. Newsweek reported at that time. as pointed out by politikothe controversial package included more than $12 billion for disaster relief funds for Americans and aid to Ukraine.
The resurfaced post was from Hurricane Ian, but Gates vote against Recent legislation related to FEMA funding. His current concerns about FEMA's assistance to victims of Hurricane Helen relate to reports that funds from federal aid programs were improperly used to assist illegal immigrants.
According to a report on October 4th press release Whistleblowers from Gates' office revealed “serious mismanagement at FEMA,” resulting in “chaos for federal, state, and local field responders.” Ta. [left] Supporting Hurricane Helen recovery efforts without a deployment order. ” The report comes after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “directed $1.4 billion in taxpayer dollars to illegal aliens.” (Related: Fact check: Is FEMA confiscating supplies and halting relief efforts for Hurricane Helen victims?)
Gaetz submitted a letter demanding an explanation from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who just declared that FEMA “does not have sufficient funding to get us through this crisis.” [hurricane] According to the season, Associated Press. FEMA also recently released information about the program. debunk rumors Circulate about relief programs.
