The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Vice President Kamala Harris’ mismanagement, is under fire following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on the southern United States.
The agency’s announcement that it has no more cash for disaster relief has sparked controversy and raised questions about its financial mismanagement — and sparked criticism that the Biden-Harris administration misused funds
Critics argue that the agency diverted funds to assist illegal immigrants, a claim the administration denies. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously confirmed that FEMA funds had been allocated for migrant assistance, fueling the debate.
Take a look —
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Karine Jean – Pierre in 2022, admitting FEMA was giving our money to Illegals then saying they didn't
So you folks know what to do
— @Chicago1Ray 🇺🇸 (@Chicago1Ray) October 7, 2024
A recent investigation by RealClearInvestigations reveals a more complex situation. According to an August report from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, FEMA may be sitting on significant untapped reserves:
“In 2022, FEMA estimated that 847 disaster declarations with approximately $73 billion in unliquidated funds remained open,” the report stated. Of this total, $8.3 billion was earmarked for disasters declared in 2012 or earlier.
These “unliquidated obligations” stem from FEMA’s failure to close out specific grant programs within designated timeframes.
Brian Cavanaugh, a former FEMA appropriations manager, explained, “This is an age-old game that happens and it doesn’t matter what administration is in. It’s unfortunate how complex disaster relief has become, but it’s skyrocketing costs.”
Cavanaugh suggested that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas could potentially access these funds without congressional approval or a presidential executive order, but hasn’t done so.
“If the money is part of ‘immediate needs funding,’ DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas could draw from the billions in untapped money to help the victims of Helene and then inform lawmakers he was compelled to do so,” Cavanaugh stated.
FEMA has not responded to requests for comment on whether it can access these earmarked funds.
The agency’s financial challenges come amid rising disaster costs. In 2023, the U.S. saw a record 28 storms causing over $1 billion in damages each, with 19 such storms already recorded in 2024.