Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott, alongside Senators Thom Tillis, Ted Budd, and 16 other Senate colleagues, has raised concerns about reports involving the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. A letter addressed to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell highlights allegations that a FEMA employee instructed disaster assistance teams in Florida to bypass homes displaying support for President-Elect Donald Trump.

The senators expressed their alarm over these claims, with Senator Scott stating that "FEMA’s mission is ‘helping people before, during, and after disasters.’" The statement continued to emphasize that withholding aid based on political affiliation is "unacceptable and frankly reprehensible."

Further claims by the dismissed employee suggest this was not an isolated incident. Similar actions were reportedly taken in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. The senators noted that such actions could undermine public trust: "The idea that citizens...may be purposely excluded from vitally needed aid is chilling and further erodes many people’s already tenuous trust in this administration."

In response to these serious allegations, the senators are calling for "answers, accountability, and transparency" from FEMA. They demand assurance that all disaster victims receive necessary support without discrimination.

Among those who signed the letter are Senators Mike Braun, Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, John Cornyn, Shelley Moore Capito, Joni Ernst, Bill Hagerty, John Hoeven, John Kennedy, James Lankford, Roger Marshall, Pete Ricketts, Jim Risch, Dan Sullivan and Tim Scott.