Rep. Cat Cammack (R-Fla.) appeared on NewsNation on Saturday and said Hurricane Helen victims “don't have time” for politics, but said she would support the rebuilding of damaged communities. He said he needed it.
“North Carolina is hurt. They're devastated. They need help, but they don't have time for politics. Nobody does,” Cammack said.
She also made unsubstantiated claims that government officials were diverting relief funds to illegal immigrants.
“I think Americans are very concerned about the fact that over the past four years, temporary housing and shelter programs have diverted more than $1 billion through NGOs to illegal aliens at the border.”
But Knoxville, Tennessee, Mayor Glenn Jacobs and others are calling on conservatives to tout conspiracy theories about FEMA's hurricane relief efforts.
“As far as I know, neither FEMA nor TEMA nor anywhere else has confiscated supplies,” said Jacobs, a former professional wrestler. I wrote it in a post on Friday. “Please stop spreading these rumors as they are counterproductive to countermeasures.”
The group itself has set up a rumor response page to respond to claims that items were taken in an effort to curb misinformation.
“FEMA does not accept donations or food from survivors or volunteer organizations. Donations of food, water, and other items are handled by volunteer organizations that specialize in storing, sorting, cleaning, and distributing donated items.” It is stated on the site. “FEMA does not use armed security personnel to conduct vehicle stops or traffic closures; those actions are performed by local law enforcement.”
Despite the official response, former President Trump created his own narrative predicting that the effects of a Category 4 hurricane would exceed those of Hurricane Katrina.
“No one has ever dealt with a hurricane or storm worse than what we're experiencing right now,” Trump said. “Kamala spent all of FEMA money, billions of dollars, on housing for illegal immigrants, many of whom should not be in our country.”
During his appearance on NewsNation, Cammack doubled down on his claims about FEMA's money laundering scheme and said he was confident Congress would pass additional legislation to help hurricane victims.
“I think we need to immediately shut down the NGOs that are effectively laundering government money from FEMA. This is money that goes to homeless veterans,” Cammack said.
“This is money that goes to people in need, and in fact, there is documentation and evidence that shows that FEMA has siphoned off $1 billion. We also arrange housing for illegal immigrants.
The White House acknowledged Friday that those comments were false.
“No disaster relief funds were used to support migrant housing or services. None. All of it,” said Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates. “In fact, the funds for communities to support immigrants are appropriated directly by Congress. [Customs & Border Protection]only managed by FEMA. This funding has nothing to do with FEMA's response or recovery efforts. ”
Cammack called on President Biden to ensure all Americans affected by Helen have access to federal resources.
“I think we need to put Americans first, regardless of politics. This is a top priority. It has to happen now,” she added. “And President Biden has the ability to make that happen today.”
NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.
