The polling on this must have been really awful for the “Biden-Harris administration.”
The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was forced to reassure people in southwest Florida that federal aid for recovery from Hurricane Ian was going to everyone equally — and would not be parceled out according to the racist theory of Vice President Kamala Harris.
”We’re going to support all communities. I committed that to the governor, I commit to you right here that all Floridians are going to be able to get the help that is available to them through our programs,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told CBS News on Sunday, after being asked for a response to Harris’ comments that federal aid should be distributed according to “equity” needs.
Unlike Harris, Criswell has visited the region and seen Ian’s devastation first-hand, realizing that the storm did not selectively smash and flood homes and businesses based on race.
“These people that need our help the most are going to be able to access the help that we offer. I know that the vice president and the president, they share the same values,” Criswell added. “We are going to be there to support everybody that needs help.”
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As The Free Press reported last week, Harris opened this can of resentment by saying that “communities of color” should move to the head of the line for disaster aid.
“It is our lowest-income communities and communities of color that are most impacted by these extreme conditions and impacted by issues not of their own making—” Harris told interviewer Priyanka Chopra Jonas at the Democratic National Committee Women’s Leadership Forum on Friday.
“We have to address this in a way that is about giving resources based on equity, understanding that we fight for equality but we also need to fight for equity, understanding not everyone starts out in the same place and if we want people to be in an equal place sometimes we have to take into account disparities and do that work,” Harris added.
Images of the devastated areas easily refuted Harris’ claim: Ian did not discriminate in wiping out homes and businesses across the southwest and central Florida.
Harris was immediately ripped by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign.
“This is false. @VP’s rhetoric is causing undue panic and must be clarified. FEMA Individual Assistance is already available to all Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian, regardless of race or background,” DeSantis campaign spokeswoman Christina Pushaw tweeted in response to Harris’ comments.
On CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, GOP Sen. Rick Scott also denounced Harris’ polarizing rhetoric.
“It’s also not helpful what the vice president says when she thinks that FEMA is gonna treat people differently based on their skin color,” said Scott. “We need to bring people together. Please pray for our state.”
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