House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed allegations that the Biden administration diverted Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds to fight immigration, saying the funding pools are “different” but that Americans are “dissatisfied.” He said he understands why he is having such feelings.
“The flow of money is different, and of course that’s not a false statement,” Johnson, R-Louisiana, told Fox News’ Shannon Bream on “Fox News Sunday.” “But the problem is the American people, you know, what they’re frustrated about is that FEMA should get involved. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, whose mission is to protect people during natural disasters like this. The Biden administration, Kamala Harris, has been working to use a pool of money from all accounts to resettle illegal aliens who cross the border. , an initiative of Secretary Mayorkas. ”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre denied the remarks last week. FEMA resources was a plan for immigration, but cited FEMA funds for immigrants in 2022.
“Former President Trump has accused the Biden administration of using FEMA funds to assist illegal immigrants. How is the White House responding to this?” a reporter asked at a press conference Friday. .
Despite Mayorkas’ warning, FEMA has the funds needed for ‘immediate response and recovery’
Chairman Mike Johnson sticks to his plan for government funding (Getty Images)
“So that’s completely false. It’s not true. It’s a false statement,” Jean-Pierre responded.
Critics have since compared her statements to comments she made in 2022 in which she said FEMA resources were available to illegal immigrants.
“FEMA regional managers are meeting with city officials on the ground for coordination, to coordinate the federal assistance available from FEMA and other federal agencies,” Jean-Pierre said in September 2022. He told reporters at a press conference on the 16th.
“Funding is also available through FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program to eligible local governments and nonprofit organizations on request to support humanitarian relief for migrants,” she added.
Although FEMA has a pool of funds specifically used for natural disasters, Congress in 2022 required FEMA to distribute funds from Customs and Border Protection to assist American communities. affected by the immigration crisis.
After Hurricane Helen, KJP comes under fire over mixed messages about whether FEMA resources were used for immigrants
Border Patrol agents intercept a group of asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border near Sasabe, Arizona, on March 13, 2024. (Justin Hummel/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
FEMA’s website currently has a “Hurricane Helen: Responding to Rumors” page that contains false information surrounding recovery efforts, including accusations that FEMA diverted disaster response funds to “border-related issues.” The contents address the allegations.
“This is false. No funds are being diverted to disaster response needs. FEMA’s disaster response operations and individual assistance are funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, a fund dedicated to disaster operations. Disaster Relief Fund “Funds have not been diverted for other purposes. Non-disaster related efforts,” FEMA posted in response to the claim.
Hurricane Helen flooded devastated towns and cities across Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee, killing more than 220 people.
Debris is scattered across the lake from Hurricane Helen on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Lake Lure, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas drew national attention last week when he suggested that FEMA does not have enough funds to get through the hurricane season, which typically ends in November.
Lawmakers furious over FEMA funding concerns
“We are meeting immediate needs with the resources we have, and another hurricane is expected,” he said Wednesday, raising concerns about funding for Americans forced to evacuate due to hurricanes. . “FEMA doesn’t have the money to get us through the season.”
But the next day, DHS said FEMA has the necessary funds to assist those currently affected.
“FEMA has what it takes for immediate response and recovery efforts,” spokeswoman Jaclyn Rothenberg said. said X. [Administrator Deanne Criswell] “She has full authority to spend against the president’s budget, but hurricane season is not over yet, so we need to keep a close eye on it.”
Federal government ‘failed to act’ in Hurricane Helen aftermath: Rep. Cory Mills
An aerial view of the damage caused by Hurricane Helen in Irwin, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
In an interview Sunday, Prime Minister Johnson said the Biden-Harris administration, through non-governmental organizations, would “happily” pay for tickets for people who spot illegal immigrants traveling around the country on public transportation. said.
“When you see illegal aliens at your local airport, and you see them being transported by plane, train, and automobile to every community, every place in the country, every state is now a border state. That’s NGOs, non-governmental organizations. In most cases, it transports people and then sends the receipts to the federal government,” he continued.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks during a press conference in Washington, DC on June 26, 2024. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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“And Biden, Harris, and Mayorkas are happily paying those receipts because they are purposely keeping the borders open. The American people are tired of this. They are tired of it, and Congress Republicans are fed up, too. And that will stop after November 5th, because there will be a unified government in which the Republicans will be in charge and bring sanity back to the situation.”
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Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
