Fox's first appearance: Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee are examining the Department of Homeland Security's “priorities” for funding requests from Congress as controversy continues over spending on illegal immigration and disaster relief.
“The Committee on Homeland Security…is investigating.” [DHS’] We prioritize the ability to respond appropriately to natural disasters,” the committee members said in a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
The letter comes as Mayorkas warns that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not have stable funding for hurricane season, but that there is not enough money for immediate needs as hurricanes batter North Carolina and Florida. It was issued after emphasizing that it could be handled. The administration urged Congress to pass additional spending legislation.
Mayorkas doubles down on 'harmful' misinformation in criticism of FEMA
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a briefing at the White House on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 in Washington, DC. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
“We have immediate needs right now,” he said earlier this month. “We have funding under continuing resolutions, but it's not a steady source, so to speak.” “This is a multi-billion dollar, multi-year recovery.
Amid calls for more funding for the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), conservatives point to grants administered by FEMA to nonprofit organizations and communities hosting illegal immigrants during the historic border crisis. I am doing it. This year's funding is $650 million, using funds transferred from Customs and Border Protection.
Tropicana Field's roof is damaged Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Florida, the morning after Hurricane Milton struck the area. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
DHS has repeatedly noted that its funding is appropriated by Congress, is a separate funding channel from the Disaster Relief Fund, and is not affected by immigration funding. He is pushing back against claims by some conservatives that disaster funds were taken away and used for immigration.
Senators fear FEMA's 'tangle' with border crisis could harm disaster response mission
“These claims are completely false,” a DHS spokesperson previously 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.
Republican lawmakers acknowledge that the funding streams are separate, but Congress has earmarked $61.2 billion for the DRF in fiscal 2023 and 2024, meeting or exceeding disaster relief budget requests. I'm paying attention.
“However, the committee finds that the Department and FEMA did not adequately notify Congress of the need for additional disaster relief funding, and that at the same time FEMA's Shelter Services Program (SSP), a funding program, – Concerned that the Department is asking for too much money to fund the Services Program (SSP), which provides shelter and services to migrants encountered by the Department, including undocumented immigrants. “It is a non-federal agency that provides,” they say.
Lawmakers say FEMA has disbursed more than $1.4 billion through both SSP and the former Humanitarian Emergency Food and Shelter Program. (EFSP-H).
For more information on the border security crisis, click here
“Meanwhile, slightly more was spent on federal aid to communities affected by Hurricane Helen, at $344 million,” they say.
“While the Committee understands that there is no co-mingling of funding between the DRF and SSP, the Department's priorities for the limited financial resources provided to the Department by taxpayers are that they should serve the American people first and foremost. “, they added.
The Committee is seeking all documentation and communications from FEMA and DHS regarding funding for SSP, EFSP-H, and DRF, as well as identification of the entities receiving grants.
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Republicans have been the most vocal in their condemnation of this issue. A group of Republican senators sent a letter to the administration last week asking, “Continued disruptions to DHS' efforts to respond to border crises could impact its preparedness and emergency response missions.” .
They also said they had asked Congress to continue funding FEMA's border operations in their budget request. “FEMA's efforts to respond to the border crisis could have been even more limited if your administration had used agency authority to ensure border security.”
