SE North Carolina News

Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, both representing North Carolina, have spearheaded an initiative involving 18 U.S. Senators in addressing concerns to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. The move follows reports suggesting that a FEMA employee advised disaster response teams in Florida to bypass homes displaying signs supporting President-Elect Donald Trump during Hurricane Milton.

The oversight letter was also signed by Senators Mike Braun, Bill Cassidy, 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.

The Senators expressed their "deep concern over recent reports that a U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employee advised disaster assistance teams in Florida responding to Hurricane Milton to avoid homes that had yard signs supporting President-Elect Donald Trump."

Highlighting FEMA's mission of "helping people before, during and after disasters," the Senators emphasized the importance of impartiality in disaster relief efforts. They described the alleged actions as "unacceptable and frankly reprehensible," stressing that "FEMA has fallen well short of its core mission."

Acknowledging Criswell's quick condemnation and the termination of the responsible employee, they noted claims from the former employee suggesting this behavior was not isolated. These claims include similar actions occurring in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.

The Senators called for answers and accountability from FEMA: "We demand answers, accountability and transparency to hold your agency accountable to the American people."

They posed several questions requiring responses by December 3rd regarding communications between FEMA officials involved and specific details about houses marked as inaccessible due to political signage. They also sought clarification on potential legal violations related to avoiding aid based on political beliefs.