A Trump campaign spokesman pointed to FEMA's Shelter and Services Program, which gives grants to local governments and nonprofits to take care of undocumented immigrants. Congress boosted the budget from $360 million in fiscal year 2023 to $650 million in fiscal year 2024. The program's 2023 annual report says it provides shelter, such as hotel/motel services, food and transportation, including plane tickets up to $700 a person.
As we said, Congress appropriated this money, just as it did the disaster fund.

The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is a completely separate, appropriated grant program that was authorized and funded by Congress and is not associated in any way with FEMA's disaster-related authorities or funding streams.

FEMA's disaster response efforts and individual assistance is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts. Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts." ...

www.washingtonpost.com

TN GOP Gov. Lee says untruths are being spread about relief efforts

Gov. Bill Lee said Thursday he is "inspired" by the work of volunteers and first responders in addressing flood relief needs in East Tennessee and "disheartened" to hear misinformation is being spread about that relief getting to flood victims.

He was referring to reports being posted on social media and elsewhere falsely claiming that food, water and other supplies for flood victims are being intercepted or diverted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and related agencies.

"It's sad that would happen ... that people would push out that misinformation when aid is so badly needed," Lee told Six Rivers Media by phone while touring recovery efforts in Greene and Cocke counties. "It's ridiculous and disheartening. We don't need this kind of distraction now."
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Kemp praises Biden's Hurricane Helene response amid Trump criticism

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) expressed his appreciation for the role the federal government has played in responding to Hurricane Helene, contradicting comments from former President Trump, who claimed during a Monday visit to the state that Kemp had trouble reaching President Biden.

Kemp and White House officials confirmed Monday that Biden spoke to the governor on Sunday to offer support as the state sorts through the damage from Hurricane Helene.

"He just said, Hey, what do you need?'" Kemp told reporters of his call with Biden. "And I told him, you know, we got what we need. We will work through the federal process. He offered that if there's other things we need, just to call him directly, which, I appreciate that. But we've had FEMA embedded with us since, you know, a day or two before the storm hit."

Helene recovery: Updates from Gov. Cooper's Office

The Office of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper sent out a press release Sunday afternoon to provide updates on the ongoing recovery efforts in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.

According to reports, 115 people have been confrimed dead in North Carolina, including 72 in Buncombe County, as a result of the storm.

Here are the major points of interest from Saturday's press release:

*More tham 1,700 North Carolina Natuional Guard personnel are at work in western NC, supported by 1,000 active-duty military personnel.

*More than 96,747 people have registered for FEMA Individual Assistance in the wake of the storm, and more than $30.2 million in funds have been paid out to western NC disaster survivors.

*More than 1,600 responders from 34 states are supporting response and recovery efforts through the Emergency Management Assiatance Compact (EMAC).

*More than 97,000 hot meals have been prepared daily and served by mobile kitchens, another 25,000 expected Saturday.

*Approximately 142,000 customers in NC remain without power as of noon Saturday, down from over one million at the storm's peak.

*A total of 22 shelters are open in western NC and housed more than 825 people and 94 pets on Saturday night.

*Fifty-three search and rescue teams making up 1,600 personnel have conducted search and rescue operations in the last week.

*Approximately 650 roads closed in western North Carolina as of Saturday morning.

Where precisely is that, and where are comments from governors saying what you allege?

Migrant Crossings at Southern Border Hit Lowest Level Under Biden Administration Oct 07 2024, 6:05 PM EDT

The number of migrants crossing the U.S. southern border illegally dropped to its lowest level during President Biden's administration in September, according to internal Department of Homeland Security data. Border Patrol apprehended nearly 54,000 individuals who crossed between legal entry points along the U.S.-Mexico border, down from the previous low of 56,000 in July and well below its peak in December, when 250,000 crossings were recorded.

As it regards the 2024 primary elections, exactly whom was Joe Biden's running mate that received every single vote that he did?

And what is the Vice President's independent constitutional role regarding the President being unable to perform their duties? The VP steps into the President's office and role.

Done and done.

You're simply an idiot Robson. Why you insist on reminding us all of that every single day remains one of the Retort's greatest mysteries.

Food reaches homes in flood-ravaged North Carolina by foot, horse and ATV

Keith Watkins and his wife had been isolated and without power for a week after Helene laid a deep gash through the earth leading up to his home, leaving what was once a steep, nearly mile-long driveway in ruins.

Jumping out of an off-road vehicle where the destroyed driveway met the street, Justin Wyatt held a pair of hot meals - barbecue, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese. He proceeded to bring them to the couple the only way possible: by foot.

In Creston and throughout Helene-ravaged western North Carolina, many homes built in the woods between mountain ridges and down rural roadways remain inaccessible, even a week after the storm. So by foot, by hoof, by all-terrain vehicles - volunteers like Wyatt are getting food, medicine and other supplies to those still stranded by any means necessary.

The infrastructure damage in Creston, an unincorporated community near the Tennessee border, is staggering: teetering power lines, caved roads and dilapidated driveways.

No one can say for sure when things will be fixed. For now, it's an army of volunteers in hiking boots and on horseback who are mending those severed connections.

Thank goodness for all the local volunteers who've responded to help their neighbors and know the land and terrain in ways outsiders couldn't possibly know. Military helicopters have been doing airdrops of supplies into unreachable areas as well.