Speaker Mike Johnson criticizes the Biden administration's handling of Hurricane Helene, predicting massive recovery costs and accusing officials of mismanaging funds.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has unleashed a scathing critique of the Biden administration's response, warning that the recovery efforts could become "one of the most expensive storms that the country has ever encountered."
Johnson, a representative from Louisiana, expressed alarm and disappointment over comments made by Biden officials suggesting that FEMA was short on funds to cope with the hurricane's aftermath. This, he said, was a clear indication of a lack of leadership and response.
Hurricane Helene: Republican Lawmaker Slams Biden Administration's Response, Warns of 'Expensive' Recovery
"There were some pretty ominous projections, and so Congress acted appropriately," Johnson told Fox News. "But, so far, [President Biden, Vice President Harris and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas] have failed in that response."
The speaker pointed out that FEMA had received $20 billion in immediate funding from Congress in last month's short-term federal funding bill, and criticized the administration for failing to use these resources effectively. Mayorkas had previously stated that FEMA was "tremendously prepared" for weather crises this year, but Johnson argued that the storm response had fallen short.
Hurricane Helene: Republican Lawmaker Slams Biden Administration's Response, Warns of 'Expensive' Recovery
Johnson emphasized that lawmakers could not allocate additional funds until state and local authorities had assessed the full extent of the damage and projected the necessary funds for recovery. He predicted that this process would take at least 30 days, putting it beyond the upcoming congressional elections.
However, he vowed that Congress would be prepared to act once the estimates were available. "As soon as those numbers are ready, Congress will be prepared to act," Johnson said. "I certainly hope the administration is working overtime right now to … help get them prepared."
Hurricane Helene: Republican Lawmaker Slams Biden Administration's Response, Warns of 'Expensive' Recovery
Johnson's criticism extends to the broader handling of FEMA under the Biden administration. He accused Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas of mismanaging the department and diverting resources away from disaster relief efforts.
"There is a lot of controversy about the nonsense that the Mayorkas Department of Homeland Security has engaged in. With their ... dangerous open-borders policy and then the relocation efforts of taking illegal aliens and transporting them around the country," Johnson said. "We have been working every day, House Republicans, to stop the madness."
Hurricane Helene: Republican Lawmaker Slams Biden Administration's Response, Warns of 'Expensive' Recovery
Johnson expressed concern that the SSP program, which provides shelter and services for migrants, was diverting funds from disaster relief. "What happened is that FEMA, because it's a division of DHS, it's very clear that they should be focused on helping Americans recover from disasters and not straining resources that go to other programs that are catering to illegals," he said.
The White House and DHS have denied any misuse of disaster relief funds for migrant housing services. Johnson, however, did not give a definitive answer when pressed on the matter, but reiterated his opposition to the SSP program. "We are doing everything within our power to prevent these abuses of the law and abuses of taxpayer dollars from the White House and the Democratic Party," he said.
Johnson's criticisms echo those of other conservatives who have accused the Biden administration of prioritizing illegal immigrants over American citizens. As Helene's recovery efforts get underway, the question of how to allocate limited resources will likely remain a contentious issue.
