Mace introduces legislation to redirect FEMA funding from migrants to hurricane victims

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) has introduced legislation that will redirect funds from a FEMA program for migrants to Hurricane Helene victims, and ban other federal funds for the initiative.

The bill is another Republican effort in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene to redirect government funds from immigration efforts to Hurricane Helene relief. The legislation, among other things, would terminate FEMA's Shelter and Services Program.

“It’s unacceptable for Americans to grapple with the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Helene while the federal government remains fixated on spending hundreds of millions on a program sheltering illegal immigrants instead of helping our own citizens,” Mace said in a statement.

Nine Republicans co-sponsored the legislation, including Reps. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Cory Mills (R-FL), Bill Posey (R-FL), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Alexander Mooney (R-WV), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO).

“Kamala Harris and Alejandro Mayorkas have turned FEMA into a migrant resettlement agency. It’s time to end this mess," Mace continued. “Our bill will make sure funds meant for disaster relief are utilized where they are needed most — actual disaster relief."

FEMA allocated $640 million toward its Shelter and Services Program aimed at assisting migrants, but the funds are separate from its disaster relief funds. Former President Donald Trump recently suggested the government "stole" FEMA money to give to illegal immigrants.

“They stole the FEMA money, just like they stole it from a bank, so they could give it to their illegal immigrants that they want to have vote for them this season,” Trump said.

FEMA has said that the claim is false.

“No money is being diverted from disaster response needs. FEMA’s disaster response efforts and individual assistance is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts,” FEMA said in a post. “Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts.”

The Washington Examiner contacted Mace's and Boebert's offices to ask for further comment on the legislation but did not receive a response.

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The bill has been referred to the House Education and the Workforce Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.

With this session of Congress being held so close to the election, it's unlikely that the bill will be voted on before a new Congress is appointed.