Last week, Hurricane Milton hit Florida, causing billions in damage. Floridians are now rebuilding. North Carolina is also recovering from Hurricane Helene, despite receiving relief aid. FEMA has been assisting both states, but some residents feel the agency was unprepared and blame foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel for delays.
Some politicians argue that U. S. disaster relief is neglected due to foreign assistance priorities, alleging neglect of Florida and North Carolina in favor of Ukraine and the Middle East. However, these claims are misleading. Congress carefully deliberates financial matters; the $100 billion aid package for Ukraine and Israel came from defense stockpiles—not cutting domestic programs.
And it was a bipartisan effort.
Second, it’s important to recognize the irony in the actions of certain congressional members who have criticized U.S. foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel, yet were among the 82 representatives and 18 senators who voted against last month’s continuing resolution to fund the government. This bill, which some legislators from North Carolina and Florida voted against, included crucial funding for FEMA—funding that is now essential in aiding people in their own states. Supporting such resolutions is vital for ensuring that necessary resources are available when disasters strike at home.
As for the weapons sent abroad, they aren’t useful for disaster relief in Florida or North Carolina. Yes, the U. S. sent weapons like High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, javelins, and Army Tactical Missile Systems to Ukraine and provided billions in defense equipment to Israel.
These weapons are useless for Floridians and North Carolinians as they cannot be used for disaster relief or rebuilding.
Misunderstandings persist about U. S. aid handling: No funds were diverted from domestic programs to foreign countries; each funding process is independent with bipartisan congressional support. Floridians and North Carolinians need disaster assistance post-hurricanes without attributing issues to unrelated foreign affairs decisions.
Understand the process.
