WTAS: Republicans Back Buchanan’s Call to Hold FEMA Accountable

WASHINGTON - Last week, Congressman Vern Buchanan led a coalition of Republican lawmakers calling for swift and decisive action to address the stunning revelations that a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supervisor instructed staff to avoid providing storm assistance to homes displaying campaign signs for President-elect Trump.

Read what congressional leaders are saying about the need for accountability at FEMA:

Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL): "It is UNACCEPTABLE that Biden-Harris' FEMA told employees to avoid helping Florida homes with Donald Trump signs in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Florida Delegation demands answers for this display of cruelty towards disaster victims."

Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL): "Skipping homes because of political signs in front yards is a clear violation of FEMA's duty to serve all Americans. I urge FEMA to identify all responsible parties within the agency, hold them accountable, & work to restore public trust."

Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL): "The last thing Floridians should have to worry about after experiencing tremendous loss is whether or not political prejudice will hinder their ability to obtain government assistance. The political targeting of Republicans by President Biden's administration after Hurricane Milton is unacceptable and goes against FEMA's mission-to support all citizens before, during, and after disasters. My colleagues and I are demanding answers for these actions, requesting assurances that those 'skipped over' for assistance get the help they need, and holding those who seek to politicize the federal government accountable."

Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL): "Glad to join Vern Buchanan on this letter. Political bias against disaster survivors is never appropriate."

Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL): "It is outrageous that FEMA personnel would deny assistance to disaster victims based on their political views. This raises serious concerns about a federally funded agency putting politics over people. Hurricane victims in Florida and North Carolina have questions and they deserve answers. We must get to the bottom of this blatant discrimination and ensure those involved are held responsible."

Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT): "I joined Vern Buchanan and [54] of my colleagues to demand answers and accountability for blatant political bias at FEMA. Disasters hit Republicans and Democrats the same, and nobody should lose out on aid because of their political leanings."

Rep. French Hill (R-AR): "Every American deserves support in times of crisis, regardless of who they are voting for. Thank you to my friend Vern Buchanan for leading this effort to ensure that FEMA corrects this shocking behavior."

Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK): "Political bias in allocating relief aid is unacceptable. I am proud to join Vern Buchanan in demanding answers and accountability from FEMA."

Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH): "The reports that FEMA discriminated against Trump supporters in the aftermath of recent hurricanes are disturbing. Serving Americans must always come before politics. Proud to join Vern Buchanan to hold FEMA accountable and demand the answers the American people deserve."

Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ): "The gross unprofessionalism and complete disregard FEMA workers in Florida displayed when avoiding Trump supporters' homes is uncalled for and unacceptable. I'm pleased to be joining Vern Buchanan in a letter to [Administrator Criswell] expressing outrage about the situation and demanding answers. No one should be denied necessary care after a natural disaster based upon their political beliefs."

Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH): "The reports that FEMA used political bias while distributing aid aren't just disturbing--they're un-American. We were proud to join Vern Buchanan in an effort to ensure this behavior never happens again."

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI): "FEMA's discrimination against Trump supporters is despicable. I am proud to stand with Vern Buchanan and demand answers from FEMA to ensure this never happens again."

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI): "It's unconscionable that families impacted by the hurricanes would be denied critical aid based on their support for President-elect Trump. Reports of this sort of political discrimination are deeply disturbing. I joined my colleagues in demanding swift accountability from FEMA."

Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK): "Playing politics with people's lives is un-American. A FEMA supervisor instructed disaster relief workers to avoid helping hurricane victims with Trump signs. I signed a letter with my colleagues demanding answers."

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL): "If natural disasters don't discriminate, neither should FEMA. As a native Alabamian and staunch Trump supporter, I have seen the devastation that can be caused in an instant by a natural disaster and I am disgusted by this behavior."

Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC): "Political discrimination has no place in our federal agencies. It is unconscionable that Trump supporters would be left without help in a time of crisis. I joined Vern Buchanan in urging Administrator Criswell to provide ALL families with the assistance they deserve and to ensure this injustice will not happen again."

Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX): "The reports of FEMA purposefully avoiding pro-Trump homes are absurd. Those responsible must be held accountable for this unacceptable behavior by a federal agency. Disasters don't discriminate by political affiliation - relief shouldn't either."

Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY): "During the recovery efforts in Florida, a Biden-Harris FEMA official told employees to avoid houses with Trump signs or flags, leaving these homeowners without the opportunity to qualify for FEMA assistance. We must ensure FEMA is not playing politics with people's lives."

Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC): "In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we saw our community come together-neighbors helping neighbors. FEMA workers denying fellow Americans help in a time of great vulnerability based on political affiliation is tragic and completely unacceptable."

Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH): "FEMA should be providing assistance to ALL Americans, regardless of political affiliation. It is completely reprehensible that a FEMA agency supervisor instructed staff to avoid providing storm assistance to homes displaying campaign signs for President-elect Trump. That's why I'm joining Rep. Vern Buchanan in demanding answers from the FEMA administrator about what immediate actions the agency is taking to make sure this never happens again."

Joining Buchanan on the letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell were Reps. Robert Aderholt, Brian Babin, Aaron Bean, Stephanie Bice, Gus Bilirakis, Lauren Boebert, Josh Brecheen, Vern Buchanan, Kat Cammack, Mike Carey, Buddy Carter, Dan Crenshaw, Warren Davidson, Byron Donalds, Jeff Duncan, Neal Dunn, Randy Feenstra, Drew Ferguson, Brad Finstad, Scott Fitzgerald, Charles Fleischmann, Virginia Foxx, Scott Franklin, Russell Fry, Matt Gaetz, Lance Gooden, Paul Gosar, Kevin Hern, French Hill, Richard Hudson, David Joyce, Doug LaMalfa, Nick Langworthy, Bob Latta, Laurel Lee, Debbie Lesko, Barry Loudermilk, Anna Paulina Luna, Nicole Malliotakis, Brian Mast, Rick McCormick, Mary Miller, Cory Mills, Greg Murphy, Ralph Norman, Burgess Owens, Bill Posey, Guy Reschenthaler, Mike Rogers, John Rutherford, María Elvira Salazar, Keith Self, Claudia Tenney, Beth Van Duyne, Tim Walberg and Daniel Webster.

In the news:

Washington Examiner: Republicansdemand answers for FEMA 'bias' against Trump supporters

The Palm Beach Post: Florida attorney general says FEMA violated civil rights of Trump supporters after storms

The Washington Times: House Republicans demand answers from FEMA on why pro-Trump homes were skipped

Read the full text of Congressman Buchanan's letter to Administrator Criswell here.

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