It was abysmal.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is openly criticizing the Biden administration’s response to Hurricane Helene, warning that the recovery costs could become “one of the most expensive” in U.S. history. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Johnson highlighted that Congress took action by allocating approximately $20 billion in immediate funding for FEMA through a short-term federal funding bill last month. However, he expressed disappointment with President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, stating that they have not effectively addressed the situation.
Johnson expressed concern over statements made by Biden administration officials following the storm, which suggested that FEMA lacked sufficient funds to handle the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Earlier in the week, Mayorkas claimed that while they were meeting immediate needs, FEMA was struggling financially to sustain operations throughout the hurricane season. Biden indicated that he might call Congress back for an emergency session to pass a supplemental disaster aid bill.
Johnson accused the administration of attempting to deflect blame for its leadership failures. He pointed out that Mayorkas had stated in July that FEMA was “tremendously prepared” for potential weather emergencies this year. Johnson also emphasized that Congress would not be able to take further action until state and local authorities assessed the damages and determined the necessary funding, which he believes could take at least 30 days—likely after the upcoming election when Congress reconvenes.
Hailing from Louisiana, Johnson is all too familiar with the repercussions of hurricanes, mentioning the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina. He warned that the destruction caused by Helene could impact at least six states and result in widespread devastation. He committed to Congress acting swiftly once the necessary assessments are complete and expressed hope that the administration is working diligently to facilitate this preparation.
Furthermore, Johnson’s criticism of FEMA’s response has led some conservatives to allege that the Biden administration has misallocated disaster relief funds to support illegal immigrants through the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which received about $650 million in the previous fiscal year. However, both the White House and the Department of Homeland Security have strongly denied any connection between disaster aid and the SSP, asserting that claims of disaster relief funds being redirected for migrant services are unfounded. White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates reiterated that no disaster relief funding has been used for migrant housing and that such funds are directly appropriated by Congress for Customs and Border Protection (CBP). While Johnson refrained from providing a clear answer on the matter, he criticized Mayorkas for his management of the Department of Homeland Security.
