Aaron Bean U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 4th district | Official U.S. House Headshot
Aaron Bean U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 4th district | Official U.S. House Headshot
This week, Congressman Aaron Bean of Florida joined two letters seeking answers from FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. The inquiries come after reports suggested that FEMA staff were instructed to avoid aiding hurricane victims who displayed Trump campaign signs.
The letters were authored by Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves of Missouri and Economic Development, Emergency Management, and Public Buildings Subcommittee Chair Scott Perry of Pennsylvania. A separate letter was written by Congressman Vern Buchanan of Florida.
“It is outrageous that FEMA personnel would deny assistance to disaster victims based on their political views. This raises serious concerns about a federally funded agency putting politics over people. Hurricane victims in Florida and North Carolina have questions and they deserve answers. We must get to the bottom of this blatant discrimination and ensure those involved are held responsible,” said Congressman Bean.
Reports from sources within FEMA indicate that at least 20 homes with pro-Trump signs or flags were bypassed by relief workers from late October through November due to guidance from a FEMA supervisor. The supervisor claimed this practice was not limited to Florida but also occurred in the Carolinas, stating that “senior leadership will lie to you and tell you that they don't know” while FEMA continues denying assistance nationwide.
Readers interested in the full letter led by Congressman Buchanan can find it online, as well as the letter led by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
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