Austin News

U.S. Senator John Cornyn, alongside several other Republican senators, has raised concerns regarding reports that a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employee advised disaster teams to avoid homes displaying support for President-elect Donald Trump during Hurricane Milton recovery efforts in Florida. The employee claims these instructions were issued by supervisors within FEMA, sparking fears of political bias in disaster relief operations.

In a letter addressed to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, the senators emphasized the critical role of FEMA in assisting families during natural disasters. They stated: “For a FEMA employee to withhold aid or support from a household due to political affiliation is unacceptable and frankly reprehensible.” The senators acknowledged Criswell's swift action in condemning the behavior and terminating the responsible employee but noted further allegations suggesting this was not an isolated incident.

The letter calls for "answers, accountability, and transparency" from FEMA to ensure impartial support for all victims of natural disasters. The senators demand detailed responses from FEMA on various aspects of the issue by December 3, 2024.

The full text of the letter is available publicly, underscoring the seriousness with which these allegations are being treated by Congress.