U.S. Senator Katie Britt Works to Get Answers, Accountability After FEMA Supervisor’s Politicization of Aid

Writes FEMA Administrator Criswell and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 9, 2024 – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), as Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, wrote Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell today voicing outrage and demanding accountability following reports a FEMA supervisor instructed relief workers to “avoid homes advertising Trump,” resulting in at least 20 houses with Trump campaign flags or signs being bypassed for outreach regarding possible federal disaster assistance.

“I am writing to express my outrage with recent press reports that, in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton in Florida, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supervisor instructed relief workers to bypass houses displaying support for President Trump . . . It is simply outrageous that any FEMA personnel, let alone a supervisor, would condition aid to victims based on their political views,” wrote Senator Britt. “I appreciate that Administrator Criswell has condemned these actions and fired the supervisor, but the American people need answers regarding how this happened and if anyone else was complicit, as well as assurance it will not happen again.”

The Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security has jurisdiction over FEMA. Congress is expected to consider multi-agency supplemental funding in the coming weeks in order for federal disaster relief to continue to be available to Americans impacted by presidentially declared disasters, including those recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

“As Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I have worked to ensure that FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) has sufficient resources to respond to disasters as they occur and to assist individuals and communities recovering in the aftermath . . .  Any disaster funding provided by Congress must be made available to all Americans who are victims of presidentially declared disasters, and cannot be conditioned or delayed based on their political views,” continued Senator Britt.

Senator Britt is demanding Secretary Mayorkas and Administrator Criswell provide answers to her by November 15 regarding the policies in place to protect against the politicalization of aid, including what policies and circumstances would allow an individual to forgo aid to specific homes; if additional delays have taken place due to political affiliation; whether any whistleblowers have come forward; and the number of personnel aware of the FEMA supervisor’s actions prior to press reporting. 

Read the full text of the letter HERE.

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