Congress is usually quiet in an election year. But they’re putting the White House on notice.
Because Congress has sent a letter to Biden and Harris with a fiery direct order.
Republican Florida Representative Brian Mast has called on President Joe Biden to halt a foreign aid package exceeding $300 million meant for people in Hamas-controlled Gaza. Instead, Mast urged Biden to redirect the funds to Americans impacted by Hurricane Helene, according to a letter obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, has already claimed more than 150 lives since making landfall in Florida on the evening of September 26. The hurricane swept through several states, including North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, causing widespread destruction. In his letter, Mast appealed for the $336 million intended for Gaza to be reallocated to “families right here on American soil reeling from the fallout and devastation” caused by the hurricane.
“While your administration has mobilized federal agencies and resources to respond to this disaster, the full cost of the damage is unlikely to become clear for weeks to come. In light of that reality, I urge you to put America First and ensure federal agencies coordinating relief and rebuilding efforts have sufficient funding in place,” wrote Mast.
He continued, “Using existing presidential authority, the White House should raid foreign assistance funds earmarked for countries and jurisdictions run by regimes and terrorist groups working against America’s interest. A clear candidate for this is the $336 million foreign aid package the United States Agency for International Development plans to send to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.”
🚨 Joe Biden and Kamala Harris used nearly ONE BILLION DOLLARS of FEMA money to house ILLEGAL ALIENS.
This is money that should have gone to AMERICAN CITIZENS dealing with natural disasters, like Hurricane Helene.
— Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) October 3, 2024
Earlier in the week, the U.S. government announced an additional humanitarian aid package for Gaza and the West Bank, bringing the total U.S. aid to over $1 billion since October 2023, according to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
While both President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have visited the hurricane-ravaged areas, concerns over the adequacy of government aid have been raised. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas cautioned on Wednesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is running low on funds as the total damages from Hurricane Helene could reach $35 billion, according to estimates by reinsurance company Gallagher Re.
Hurricane Helene ranks among the deadliest U.S. storms since Hurricane Katrina, leaving countless residents struggling to recover from the devastation. One of the hardest-hit areas was Asheville, North Carolina, which was left isolated due to severe road damage, power outages, and the loss of cellphone service, according to the *StarTribune*.
FEMA has already provided more than $20 million in flexible funding to thousands of survivors and deployed over 1,500 workers, supported by more than 5,000 federal employees. The agency has also shipped over 9.3 million meals, 11.2 million liters of water, 150 generators, and 260,000 tarps to the affected region.
It remains uncertain whether Congress will reconvene before the scheduled November 12 session to approve additional emergency funding. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged in a post on X that while lawmakers have already allocated $20 billion in disaster relief for FEMA, they are prepared to do their “part to help these communities recover.”
Mast concluded his letter by criticizing the allocation of U.S. funds abroad, stating, “The United States has contributed billions of dollars over the years to the cause of the Palestinians with no tangible benefit to American interests to show for it. Simply put, America’s tax dollars should feed families at home — not fuel our foes abroad.”
Americans are increasingly frustrated with the vast sums of money being allocated to foreign aid, especially as natural disasters devastate communities at home. With billions of dollars being sent abroad each year, many question why those funds aren’t directed toward rebuilding and supporting the U.S. in times of crisis. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread damage across several states, the debate has grown louder.
Critics argue that while the U.S. spends hundreds of billions on foreign aid, American citizens are left struggling to recover from disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. As families rebuild their homes and lives, many feel that their government’s priorities are misplaced. Politicians like Florida Representative Brian Mast have called for reallocating foreign aid funds to help Americans affected by such disasters.
Mast’s recent plea to redirect a $336 million aid package earmarked for Gaza to assist hurricane victims highlights a sentiment shared by many who believe “America First” should be more than just rhetoric. He and others argue that foreign aid often serves governments or regimes that don’t align with U.S. interests, while Americans face delayed or insufficient relief.
This isn’t just a partisan matter, either. Americans of all backgrounds are indicating that they are extremely disappointed in the way the Biden-Harris administration is handling this crisis, right before a critical election in which Donald Trump is looking as strong as ever.
Prudent Politics will keep you updated on any developments from the White House on this issue.
