The House Homeland Security Committee is taking a closer look at the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) priorities concerning funding requests, particularly in light of ongoing debates about spending on illegal immigration and disaster relief efforts.
The committee expressed its concerns in a letter directed to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, focusing on the adequacy of the department’s response to natural disasters.
Amid the devastating hurricanes impacting North Carolina and Florida, Mayorkas indicated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) lacks stable funding for the current hurricane season.
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Although he reassured the public that immediate needs are met, the administration has called on Congress to approve a supplemental spending bill to ensure continued support for disaster recovery.
“We have the immediate needs right now. On a continuing resolution, we have funds, but that is not a stable source of supply, if you will,” Mayorkas stated recently, highlighting the long-term nature of recovery efforts.
As calls for additional funding for the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) grow, conservatives are highlighting the nearly $650 million allocated to grants for non-profit organizations and local communities to support illegal immigrants during the ongoing border crisis.
This funding has drawn sharp criticism, particularly as it comes from resources that were previously designated for Customs and Border Protection.
DHS has consistently maintained that these funds are distinctly separate from the DRF and insists that disaster relief funding has not been diverted to support migrant-related initiatives.
A DHS spokesperson clarified, “These claims are completely false. As Secretary Mayorkas said, FEMA has the necessary resources to meet the immediate needs associated with Hurricane Helene and other disasters.”
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Despite acknowledging the separate funding streams, committee members expressed their concern that DHS and FEMA may not have effectively communicated their need for additional disaster relief funds.
At the same time, they are requesting substantial sums for the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which provides grants to non-federal entities for migrant shelter and services.
The committee noted that while FEMA has allocated over $1.4 billion through the SSP and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program for humanitarian aid, only a slightly higher amount—$344 million—has gone towards federal assistance for Hurricane Helene recovery.
“The Department’s priorities for limited resources provided by taxpayers to the Department should first and foremost serve Americans,” the lawmakers insisted.
Seeking transparency, the committee is demanding comprehensive documentation regarding the funding for the SSP, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, and the Disaster Relief Fund.
This inquiry marks another chapter in the ongoing Republican effort to hold the administration accountable for its spending choices, with GOP senators recently questioning whether the focus on border crisis management might hinder FEMA’s readiness for emergency responses.
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As reported by Fox News, the senators emphasized that the administration should prioritize securing the border instead of entangling FEMA in immigration-related efforts, potentially compromising its core mission.
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