The politics behind FEMA criticism
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper speaks during a media briefing on the government's response. Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator (FEMA) Deanne Criswell, center, and others listen at the state Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson)
Last month the United States Senate passed House Resolution 9747. The bill extended funding for a host of federal programs, including $20 billion for FEMA currently aiding in Hurricane Helene relief efforts. That storm hit the Tar Heel state two days after the bill’s passage. Two North Carolina legislators voted against the bill, and among them was Representative Dan Bishop who is currently running to be the state’s next attorney general.
Explaining his opposition to the continuing resolution he said, “I won’t vote to spend billions we don’t have on things we don’t need when our elections aren’t secure, and our debt is skyrocketing.” Bishop was the only member of the North Carolina House delegation to vote against the bill.
UNC Greensboro political science professor Hunter Bacot says Bishop’s pushback comes as little surprise given his longtime association with the House Freedom Caucus.
"It’s a very far-right group, and they’re the ones who kind of gum things up for the Republicans in trying to get legislation through," says Bacot. "So, they can be effective as monkey wrenchers, putting a wrench in the process."
Senator Ted Budd was once a member of the same caucus, and he also cast a 'no' vote. During his recent appearance on Fox & Friends, Budd described FEMA’s response to Helene as, “a lot of misplaced allocations whether it’s a billion dollars that’s been allocated to illegals that’s not coming here to western North Carolina or the other states.”
Bacot says comments like Budd’s purposely conflate FEMA’s umbrella department, Homeland Security which runs immigration, with FEMA’s work as a disaster assistance agency.
"We’re in a political season and these types of comments are going to come across and come out because they’re trying to solidify their base," he says. "It’s playing politics with the issue. Unfortunately, not enough people in America know the intricacies of how our federal government works and the things that they do, until they actually have to touch the service."
FEMA’s response to recent accusations like Budd’s reads in part: "This is false. No money is being diverted from disaster response needs.”
Rep. Bishop and Sen Budd did not return WFDD’s requests for interviews.
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