A group of Florida Republicans were among those who recently voted against the government funding extension bill which, among other things, sought to provide additional necessary funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Some of them also echoed disinformation related to the agency, including that the agency lacked necessary funds because it was sending them to undocumented immigrants. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell firmly rejected all allegations, calling them "frankly ridiculous and just plain false."
"This kind of rhetoric is not helpful to people. You know, it's really a shame that we're putting politics ahead of helping people, and that's what we're here to do," Criswell said last week after Hurricane Helene hit several southern states, Florida among them.
A FEMA spokesperson clarified to Fox News that disaster relief funds and immigration-related funding are separate and come from different sources. The disaster money is provided by Congress and is exclusively used for relief operations.
In response to Hurricane Helene, the Biden administration has stepped up assistance, ordering the deployment of an additional 500 active-duty troops, bringing the total number of mobilized personnel to 1,500.
Now, as Milton hit the vast majority of the state, what are Florida lawmakers who voted against the bill saying? Most are echoing warnings from authorities, claiming they are ready to respond to any needs.
Rep. Byron Donalds posted before landfall that his office, local and state governments were "PREPARED" to deal with the situation. He has also republished guidance from government agencies about the need to stay off roadways even after the storm passed.
The storm surge threat has begun.
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) October 9, 2024
Wind damage has already been recorded.
My office is PREPARED.
Our state government is PREPARED.
Our local governments are PREPARED.
And emergency assets are pre-positioned.
If you're in Collier or Lee County Zones A or B, EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY. pic.twitter.com/6MAmXvV86K
Daniel Webster has taken a similar approach, calling for residents to heed warnings and remain "inside and away from the winds and water."
Please heed @OrangeCoSheriff - stay inside and away from the winds and water. https://t.co/cXIeJjlgfN
— Daniel Webster (@RepWebster) October 10, 2024
Gus Bilirakis, who represents the state's 12th Congressional district, criticized FEMA's efforts after Hurricane Helene, saying that "in many cases debris removal" in response to "individual claims after Helene have been too slow."
"Milton will undoubtedly exacerbate the need for both immediate relief and long term support as we recover. We need to get back to DC as soon as possible to vote on a stand alone FEMA package," he added, in an apparent flip-flop from his previous vote.
— Gus Bilirakis (@RepGusBilirakis) October 9, 2024
Rep. Kat Cammack continued to hit FEMA, echoing a claim before landfall that said "FEMA has $8 billion sitting in bank accounts that they haven't paid out from other disasters." "Agreed! Our team is working on that right now," she said.
For everyone who keeps saying FEMA is broke ⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/hOIoxEXf4e
— Kat Cammack (@Kat_Cammack) October 9, 2024
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who on October 3 made a video saying that "illegals got $1.01B from FEMA that was supposed to/SHOULD GO to flood victims," has echoed warnings and requests from authorities. Counterpart Matt Gaetz, who republished the claim, has taken a similar stance.
Illegals got $1.01B from FEMA that was supposed to/ SHOULD GO to flood victims! pic.twitter.com/l0mCzAQsPI
— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) October 3, 2024
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