Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, Thom Tillis, and Ted Budd have raised concerns regarding reports that a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employee instructed disaster teams in Florida to avoid homes displaying support for President-elect Donald Trump during Hurricane Milton recovery efforts. The senators, along with 16 Republican colleagues, have written to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell seeking explanations.

The letter highlights an incident where the FEMA employee claimed that the orders originated from supervisors within the agency. This situation has prompted questions about potential political bias in disaster relief distribution.

"FEMA’s mission is ‘helping people before, during, and after disasters.’ When a natural disaster overwhelms state and local resources, FEMA is the option of last resort to help American families rebuild their lives in times of great distress and upheaval," stated the senators. They emphasized that withholding aid based on political affiliation contradicts this mission.

The senators acknowledged Criswell's condemnation of these actions and the termination of the involved employee but noted claims suggesting similar incidents occurred elsewhere, including Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.

"While we appreciate your swift condemnation of these actions and termination of the responsible employee, your former employee has made subsequent claims that this was not an isolated incident," they continued. The senators expressed concern over citizens potentially being excluded from necessary aid despite funding FEMA through taxes.

They demanded "answers, accountability, and transparency" from FEMA to ensure equitable support for all victims regardless of political beliefs. The letter calls for a response by December 3, 2024.

Cassidy, Tillis, and Budd were joined by Senators Mike Braun, Susan Collins, John Cornyn, Shelley Moore Capito, Joni Ernst, Bill Hagerty, John Hoeven, John Kennedy, James Lankford, Roger Marshall, Pete Ricketts, Jim Risch, Dan Sullivan, Rick Scott, and Tim Scott in signing the letter.