Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, along with Senators Thom Tillis, Ted Budd, and 16 other Republican colleagues, has addressed a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. The letter raises concerns about reports suggesting that a FEMA employee advised disaster assistance teams in Florida to avoid homes displaying signs supporting President-Elect Donald Trump during Hurricane Milton recovery efforts. The employee claimed these directives originated from supervisors at FEMA, leading to worries about potential politicization of disaster relief.

The Senators emphasized the core mission of FEMA: "helping people before, during, and after disasters." They stated that withholding aid based on political affiliation is "unacceptable and frankly reprehensible," asserting that FEMA failed in its duty to provide impartial disaster relief.

Acknowledging the agency's quick response in condemning the actions and terminating the responsible employee, the Senators highlighted further claims by the former employee indicating similar incidents occurred in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. These allegations suggest citizens might be deliberately excluded from receiving necessary aid.

The Senators demand "answers, accountability, and transparency" from FEMA to ensure all victims receive support regardless of political beliefs. They stressed their commitment to holding those accountable for any misuse of power against the public.

Besides Senators Marshall, Tillis, and Budd, signatories include Mike Braun (R-IN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Hoeven (R-ND), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), and John Boozman (R-AR).