According to Fox News, the House Homeland Security Committee is examining DHS's allocation of resources between disaster relief and migrant-related expenses.
The probe comes in response to recent statements by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the stability of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) funding for hurricane response. While Mayorkas assured that immediate needs are covered, he emphasized the need for a more stable funding source to address long-term recovery efforts.
Republicans on the committee have expressed concern over the department's prioritization of funds, particularly in light of the ongoing border crisis. They are investigating whether DHS has adequately informed Congress about its disaster relief funding needs while simultaneously requesting substantial sums for programs supporting migrants.
The committee's inquiry focuses on the apparent disparity between funds allocated for disaster relief and those used for migrant-related programs. Lawmakers noted that while $344 million has been spent on federal assistance for communities affected by Hurricane Helene, FEMA has disbursed over $1.4 billion through programs supporting migrants.
DHS has consistently maintained that the funding streams for disaster relief and migrant support are separate. A department spokesperson emphasized that the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is a distinct, congressionally authorized grant program unrelated to FEMA's disaster-related funding.
However, the committee remains concerned about the overall prioritization of resources within DHS. They argue that the department's primary focus should be on serving American citizens, especially in times of natural disasters.
The House Homeland Security Committee is seeking extensive documentation from DHS and FEMA regarding funding for various programs. This includes all communications related to the SSP, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program for Humanitarian Aid (EFSP-H), and the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF).
Lawmakers pointed out that Congress has met or exceeded budget requests for disaster relief, providing $61.2 billion for the DRF in fiscal years 2023 and 2024. They question whether DHS has adequately communicated its needs for additional disaster relief funds while simultaneously requesting large sums for migrant-related programs.
This investigation is part of a larger Republican effort to scrutinize the Biden administration's handling of disaster relief and border security. A group of GOP senators recently expressed concerns about FEMA's involvement in border-related activities potentially impacting its readiness for emergency response.
The senators suggested that FEMA's efforts in responding to the border crisis could have been more limited if the administration had used its authorities to secure the border more effectively. They also noted that budget requests to Congress included continued funding for FEMA's border-related work.
In response to criticisms, DHS has strongly refuted claims that disaster relief money has been diverted to support migrants. The department insists that the SSP is funded through a separate congressional appropriation and does not affect FEMA's disaster-related capabilities.
Secretary Mayorkas has emphasized that FEMA has the necessary resources to meet immediate needs associated with recent hurricanes and other disasters. However, he has called for more stable, long-term funding to address multi-year recovery efforts.
The House Homeland Security Committee's investigation highlights the ongoing debate over federal resource allocation in the face of multiple crises. It underscores the tension between addressing natural disasters and managing the ongoing challenges at the southern border. The outcome of this probe could have significant implications for future DHS budgeting and congressional oversight of emergency management and immigration policies.
