The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #173399 Message #4209384
Posted By: Stilly River Sage
07-Oct-24 - 12:21 PM
Thread Name: BS: American Presidential race 2024
Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
Newsweek is tilting toward Trump with a recent article that quotes a critic but doesn't get a FEMA response about Helene rescue work in North Carolina (other federal people talk about the response, but none from FEMA. They're probably too busy.) And the usual Trump drivel about "they used it all up for immigrants" came up again, but at least they answered that with correct information:
Scrutiny about FEMA spending has increased in recent weeks after FEMA spent money on assisting communities across the country dealing with an influx of migrants through its Shelter and Services Program (SSP). The program had a budget of $640 million for the 2024 Fiscal Year, which ended on September 30.
Former President Donald Trump, the GOP's presidential nominee, has criticized the SSP, which helps local governments and nonprofits support migrants. However, FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have denied that any FEMA disaster relief funds have gone to the program.
"The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is a completely separate, appropriated grant program that was authorized and funded by Congress and is not associated in any way with FEMA's disaster-related authorities or funding streams," a DHS spokesperson previously told Newsweek.
Biden will have to work with Congress (who hold the purse strings) to get additional funds to FEMA in the face of this colossal storm. It happens every few years. I'm sure Harris will be consulted and participate in the process. Will the GOP House cooperate? Probably, since so many of the affected states have mostly GOP representation right now.