Florida Republican Rep. Brian Mast on Wednesday asked President Joe Biden for $300 million to help people in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, according to a letter first obtained by Daily Caller News. It called for the United States to cancel more than 1,000 foreign aid packages and redirect them to Americans affected by Hurricane Helen. Foundation.
The Category 4 hurricane first struck Florida on the night of September 26th, then hit North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, causing severe damage and killing more than 150 people. It is reported that it did. In his letter to Biden, Mast asked that the $336 million aid package for Gaza be redirected to “families in mainland America reeling from the fallout and devastation” of the hurricane.
“Your administration has mobilized federal agencies and resources to respond to this disaster, but the full cost of the damage is not expected to become clear for weeks. Given this reality, we are committed to putting America first and providing relief relief.” We urge the federal agencies coordinating recovery efforts to ensure adequate funding,” Mast wrote.
Mast added, “Using existing presidential powers, the White House should raid foreign aid funds allocated to countries and jurisdictions run by regimes and terrorist groups operating against U.S. interests. ” he added. “An obvious candidate is the $336 million foreign aid package that the U.S. Agency for International Development plans to send to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.”
On Monday, the United States announced additional humanitarian aid measures for Gaza and the West Bank, bringing total U.S. aid since October 2023 to more than $1 billion. According to to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). (Related: Officials allegedly threatened to arrest a helicopter pilot who conducted an unauthorized rescue flight in North Carolina)
Congressman Mast’s letter to Biden by haley On Scribd
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have visited some of the affected areas, but questions have also been raised about government aid. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned on Wednesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) lacks the funding to weather hurricane season and could cause damage. reach According to reinsurer Gallagher Re, the amount is $35 billion.
Hurricane Helen has been one of the deadliest U.S. storms since Hurricane Katrina, leaving many residents struggling to recover with their homes and towns in ruins. According to On CNN. One of the hardest-hit cities was Asheville, North Carolina, which remained isolated with severe road damage, power outages and loss of cell phone service, the Star Tribune reported. reported.
FEMA has provided more than $20 million in “flexible advance funding” to “thousands” of storm survivors. According to Go to press release. The agency also notes that more than 1,500 FEMA employees out of more than 5,000 federal employees have provided assistance, including “more than 9.3 million meals, 11.2 million liters of water, 150 generators, and more than 260,000 “Tarpa sheets” were shipped to the area.
It is unclear whether Congress will return before then. scheduled Congress will pass more emergency funding on November 12th. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson Posted On X Wednesday, lawmakers have already provided $20 billion in disaster relief in FEMA funds, but they said they will do their “role to help these communities recover.”
“The United States has donated billions of dollars to the Palestinian cause over the years, but no tangible benefit has been demonstrated to U.S. interests. Simply put, American tax dollars feed families at home. and should not provoke foreign enemies,” Mast wrote.
The White House did not immediately respond to DCNF’s request for comment.
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