In a recent press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre found herself on the defensive when confronted with a pointed question regarding the Biden administration’s funding priorities. The inquiry, posed by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy, highlighted a growing concern among many Americans: why is Congress required to reconvene to approve additional funding for North Carolina’s Hurricane Helene recovery, while the administration can allocate $157 million in aid to Lebanon without such a process?
Doocy pressed Jean-Pierre, asking, “If [Biden’s] got money for people in Lebanon right now without Congress having to come back, what does it say about his values if there’s not enough money right now for people in North Carolina?” In response, Jean-Pierre interrupted, asserting, “Your whole, your whole premise of the question is misinformation.”
When Doocy sought clarification on which aspect of his question was deemed misinformation, Jean-Pierre reiterated, “Yes, it’s misinformation. … I just mentioned to you that we provided more than $200 million to folks who are impacted in the area.” Despite her claims, the crux of the issue remains: many are questioning why the administration appears to prioritize foreign aid over domestic disaster relief.
The Biden administration’s decision to send substantial aid to Lebanon, a country that has been a haven for the terrorist group Hezbollah, has raised eyebrows. On October 5, Vice President Kamala Harris announced, “the United States will provide nearly $157 million in additional assistance to the people of Lebanon for essential needs such as food, shelter, water, protection, and sanitation to help those who have been displaced by the recent conflict.”
Critics have pointed out the apparent hypocrisy in the administration’s approach. While Congress must reconvene to authorize aid for American citizens suffering from Hurricane Helene, it seems that the same urgency is not applied to foreign aid. This has led to widespread frustration, particularly as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas revealed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) lacks sufficient funds to navigate the current hurricane season. This situation is further complicated by reports that over $640 million was allocated by FEMA earlier this year to provide shelter for illegal immigrants across the nation, a claim the White House has denied.
As the Biden administration continues to face scrutiny over its disaster response, the question remains: will it prioritize the needs of American citizens affected by natural disasters over foreign commitments? The ongoing debate underscores a critical moment for the administration as it navigates the complexities of domestic and international aid.
You have to wonder which side of the fence the Biden-Harris Administration is on. The USA from whom the money comes, or the enemies of the USA?
There’s no wonder at all. Monies should be appropriated to disasters in USA first and none to people who cross our borders illegally. Period!!