Florida Republican: Helene victims 'don't have time' for politics
Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) said Hurricane Helene victims “don’t have time” for politics but are in need of support in rebuilding damaged communities in a Saturday appearance on NewsNation.
“North Carolina has been hit. They've been devastated. They need help and they don't have time for politics. No one does,” said Cammack.
She also made an unsubstantiated claim that government officials have redirected relief effort funds to illegal immigrants.
“I think Americans are very concerned about the fact that the temporary housing and shelter program has been diverting for the last four years over a billion dollars to illegals at the border through NGOs.”
However, Mayor Glen Jacobs of Knoxville, Tenn., and others have asked conservatives to pipe down with conspiracy theories about FEMA’s hurricane relief efforts.
“To my knowledge, FEMA, TEMA, nor anyone else is confiscating supplies,” Jacobs, a former professional wrestler, wrote Friday in a post on social platform X. “Please quit spreading those rumors as they are counterproductive to response efforts.”
The organization itself has also responded to claims of items being taken by launching a rumor response page in an effort to curb misinformation.
“FEMA does not take donations and/or food from survivors or voluntary organizations. Donations of food, water, or other goods are handled by voluntary agencies who specialize in storing, sorting, cleaning, and distributing donated items,” the site reads. “FEMA does not conduct vehicle stops or handle road closures with armed guards — those are done by local law enforcement.”
Despite their official response, former President Trump has created his own narrative predicting that the impact of the category 4 hurricane will outweigh Hurricane Katrina’s devastation.
“There’s nobody that’s handled a hurricane or storm worse than what they’re doing right now,” Trump said. “Kamala spent all her FEMA money, billions of dollars, on housing for illegal migrants. Many of whom should not be in our country.”
Cammack bolstered claims about a FEMA money laundering scheme during her NewsNation appearance and said she was certain Congress would pass a supplemental bill supporting hurricane victims.
“I think there needs to be an immediate cease of the NGOs that are effectively laundering money from the administration from FEMA. This is money that goes to homeless veterans,” Cammack stated.
“This is money that goes to people in need and there is, in fact, documentation and proof that FEMA has siphoned off a billion dollars. Plus through this program to take care of plane tickets, bus tickets and housing for illegals at the border.”
The White House confirmed these comments were false Friday.
“No disaster relief funding at all was used to support migrants housing and services. None. At. All,” Senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said. “In fact, the funding for communities to support migrants is directly appropriated by Congress to [Customs & Border Protection], and is merely administered by FEMA. The funding is in no way related to FEMA’s response and recovery efforts.”
Cammack has called on President Biden to ensure every American affected by Helene has access to federal resources.
“I think we need to put Americans first regardless of the politics. This is a 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.