Department of Homeland Security The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Thursday it has the funds needed for “immediate response and recovery” in the wake of Hurricane Helene — even as Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned about a potential funding shortfall. Is.
“FEMA has everything it needs for immediate response and recovery efforts,” spokeswoman Jacqueline Rothenberg said. but said X. “As (Administrator Dean Criswell) said, he has every authority to spend against the president’s budget, but we’re not out of hurricane season yet, so we need to keep a close eye on this.”
The agency recently removed funding for immediate needs, allowing the agency to focus on immediate efforts and halting non-urgent projects, but Rothenberg said the agency still needs to get back to that. “And we’ll keep a close eye on it.”
Hurricane Helen survivors say water rose 4 feet in minutes
The remains of a home are seen in Lake Lure, North Carolina, on October 2, 2024, after the passage of Hurricane Helene. (Alison Joyce/AFP via Getty Images)
Mayorkas made headlines on Wednesday when he said he did not have enough money to deal with hurricane season that runs through November.
“With the money we have, we are meeting immediate needs. We are in danger of another hurricane,” Mayorkas said. “FEMA doesn’t have the funds to cover this season.”
He spoke on Air Force One as states and the federal government assessed the damage caused by Helen, which affected several states and killed more than 160 people. His call echoed that of President Biden, who said Congress may need to pass a supplemental spending bill to help states.
Congress recently provided $20 billion in immediate funding. FEMA Disaster Relief Fund As part of a bipartisan deal to avoid a government shutdown late last month. But Congress is currently out after Election Day till mid-November
Mayorkas later clarified his comments at the same event, saying that short-term funding does not provide stability to the agency.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a briefing at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
“At the moment we have immediate needs. On sustainable solutions, we have the money, but it is not a stable source of supply, if you like,” he said. “This is a billion-dollar, multiyear recovery.”
He said, “It is very important to note that even though we are on continuing resolution, we can quickly get spending funds so that we can dip into the funds earmarked for a period of the year to meet immediate needs ” “So, we are facing this moment, but it doesn’t talk about the future and the fact, as I mentioned earlier, that these extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity, and we need to be prepared for this.” It has to be funded by the American people. This is not a political issue.”
on the hillA source familiar with the congressional appropriations process also said there is no immediate danger of the disaster relief fund running out of money.
Fox Corporation launches donation campaign for American Red Cross Hurricane Helene relief efforts
“Although we won’t know the full cost of Helen until the first 30-day estimate comes out, FEMA ended last year with a little less than $2 billion (which carried over). The CR also gave them access to an additional $20.261 billion That’s a total of about $22 billion so far this fiscal year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mayorkas’ comments about a potential funding shortfall drew criticism from Republicans and conservatives, who pointed to funding being used by FEMA for grants to house and care for illegal immigrants crossing the southern border. Had done.
Governor Greg Abbott said on Twitter, “Mayors and FEMA – immediately stop spending money on illegal immigration resettlement and redirect those funds to areas affected by the hurricane.”
Critics cite the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which spent $650 million in FY23 on grants to non-profits and local organizations to assist migrants. But the Biden administration pushed back, noting that the funding is 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 said, FEMA has the resources needed to meet the immediate needs associated with Hurricane Helene and other disasters. The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is an entirely separate, appropriated grant program authorized by Congress. and was funded by and is not affiliated in any way with FEMA’s disaster-related authorities or funding stream.”
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White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández described as “false” the claim that the money was spent on services for illegal immigrants.
“The Disaster Relief Fund is specifically appropriated by Congress to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of natural disasters. It is entirely separate from other grant programs administered by FEMA for DHS.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
