WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Asheville, North Carolina, to tour areas impacted by Hurricane Helene and receive a briefing on the response and recovery operations by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with other federal, state, and local partners. 

Chairman Green was joined by Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Subcommittee Chairman Dan Bishop (R-NC), Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Representative Dale Strong (R-AL), Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), and Representative Wiley Nickel (D-NC).

On the visit, Members heard directly from FEMA officials and Buncombe County’s Commissioners about the devastation wrought by the deadly storm and how federal, state, and local stakeholders are working together to help North Carolinians in need. Members also surveyed the damage and saw FEMA’s recovery efforts in the towns of Asheville, Swannanoa, and Hickory, visiting a Mobile Disaster Recovery Center, and participating in a roundtable discussion at FEMA’s Joint Field Office in Hickory, NC.

“The devastation and loss we witnessed in North Carolina was eye-opening and a reminder of just how vital the emergency preparedness and response mission is,” Chairman Green said. “We appreciate the updates we received from state, local, and federal partners on their response and recovery efforts, and we commend the thousands of first responders, recovery workers, and volunteers who have stepped up to help. With the insights we gained, we will continue to conduct oversight of FEMA to ensure it operates effectively and uses taxpayer dollars wisely to help Americans before, during, and after natural disasters. While the road to recovery will be a long one, our hearts and prayers will continue to be with everyone affected by this storm in the weeks and months ahead.”

“The recovery process from Helene will be a long and arduous one – I’m committed to getting the people of Western North Carolina the resources they need to rebuild. I was glad to have my colleagues on the committee join us in the state for briefings on the response and recovery operations and to tour impacted areas. So many men and women have been working tirelessly to respond to this disaster, and we’re immensely grateful for their work. We’ll be here for Western North Carolina communities for the long haul,” said Subcommittee Chairman Bishop.

“Seeing the scenes of widespread destruction in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across much of the state underscored the need for a stronger federal response to this storm and increased support for the communities now forced to pick up the pieces. Joining Chairman Mark Green and Homeland Security Committee colleagues on the ground in North Carolina was informative and I look forward to the committee’s work on reviewing how emergency response procedures were executed and ensuring Americans impacted by this storm are not left behind by the federal bureaucracy in Washington, DC,” said Subcommittee Chairman D’Esposito.

“As a lifelong first responder, I have seen firsthand the destruction natural disasters can inflict on communities. The people of North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee are hurting right now. Their communities have been devastated and they are in desperate need of help. The response from all levels of government, including state and local governments, power companies from across the South, law enforcement, and faith-based partnerships has helped so many of those whose lives have been impacted by this natural disaster,” said Representative Strong. “But the Federal Government’s response could be even better. That is the fault of the Biden-Harris Administration. Since their first day in office, they have ignored the true mission of FEMA, pushing for millions of dollars in funding for illegal aliens in FEMA’s budget. FEMA’s funds should be used to help Americans in times of need, not to care for those who break our laws by crossing our border illegally.”

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