Hill Country Chronicle

On Friday, Representative Chip Roy from Texas raised concerns about the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) management of Disaster Relief Funds. In a letter addressed to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Roy questioned the agency's spending priorities amid ongoing hurricane threats.

"FEMA is rapidly spending billions out of the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) on non-immediate needs, including billions in unnecessary funding for COVID-19, which threatens to deplete the fund despite there being nearly two months left in hurricane season," wrote Representative Roy.

Roy highlighted that FEMA had previously imposed immediate needs funding (INF) restrictions on August 7, 2024. These restrictions aimed to prioritize near-term relief efforts over longer-term projects. However, these restrictions were lifted by FEMA on October 1, shortly after Hurricane Helene made landfall and just before Hurricane Milton began forming.

"As a result of FEMA’s questionable decision to lift INF restrictions, FEMA spent $9 billion of the $20.26 billion Congress recently provided to the DRF in just eight days. Most of this funding has gone toward longer-term recovery efforts, not relief for victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Indeed, as of October 9, 2024, FEMA has spent $344 million on Hurricane Helene efforts, though I understand more funding has been obligated," stated Representative Roy.

The letter further disclosed that according to a document from FEMA dated October 4, nearly $4 billion—approximately 45%—of DRF funds delayed due to INF restrictions were allocated for COVID-19 projects.

Representative Roy emphasized the need for transparency from FEMA regarding its financial decisions using congressionally appropriated funds and stressed prioritizing aid for Americans affected by recent disasters.