Following Hurricane Helene’s impact on Florida, Democratic US Congressman Jared Moskowitz has renewed his call for immediate action to increase Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) resources.
“As the only former director of emergency management in Congress, I’ve been sounding the alarm for months that this is going to be a problem if we just go on vacation without properly funding FEMA during hurricane season,” said Moskowitz, a representative from Florida. in the new release.
Moskowitz, who served as Florida’s emergency management director from 2019 to 2021 and later served as a Broward County commissioner before his election to Congress, brings a unique perspective to the debate over disaster funding. He further emphasized his readiness to act: “I am ready to return to Washington to immediately ensure FEMA has the resources to help communities devastated by Hurricane Helene.”
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Thursday night, battering Florida’s Big Bend region with winds of up to 140 mph and causing flooding and storm surge. The storm’s impact extended beyond Florida, affecting several states.
The timing of Helene’s landfall has brought FEMA’s funding problems into relief. Just one day before the hurricane, the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution to extend FEMA funding through December 20th. But the agency is still struggling with a billion-dollar deficit, even after implementing new spending limits last month.
Moskowitz praised President Joe Biden’s immediate response to the crisis, saying, “Thank you to President Biden for sending all available resources to the affected countries.” He was also quick to criticize Congress for failing to act sooner. “Congress needs to be proactive on this issue,” Moskowitz said, highlighting the ongoing debate over disaster preparedness and funding allocations.
The congressman’s statement reflects growing frustration with the political gridlock that often surrounds disaster relief efforts. “Congress needs to show that it can still give to the American people in their time of greatest need,” Moskowitz added.
During his tenure as Florida’s director of emergency management, Moskowitz oversaw the state’s response to multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm that devastated parts of his state in 2018.
Notable among the dissenting voices on disaster relief funding was Republican U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, who voted against new stopgap measures to fund the government and provide additional disaster relief. Gaetz’s election, just a day before Hurricane Helene made landfall in his home state, has drawn criticism and questions about lawmakers’ priorities in disaster-prone areas.
This is not the first time Gaetz has voted against a continuing resolution that includes disaster relief funding. In 2022, just days after Hurricane Ian devastated Florida, GOP lawmakers were among several Republicans who voted against a stopgap measure that would have continued to fund the government and provide billions of dollars in extra disaster relief.
Despite the latest vote, Gaetz promised Floridians that they will still have their support for Helene’s destruction, according to a report by ABC 3.
Newsweek Contact the offices of Moskowitz and Gaetz by email Monday for comment.
Moskowitz’s statement ended with a final call to action: “So let’s get back to work and pass a bipartisan long-term solution without poison pills or politics.”
