Higgins pushes to redirect Ukraine aid to storm victims

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, who represents St. Mary Parish in Congress, introduced legislation that would redirect funding earmarked for Ukraine to Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance to Americans affected by natural disasters.
A press release from the office of Higgins, R-Lafayette, said his legislation would direct unobligated dollars from the Economic Support Fund, a part of the April 2024 Ukraine supplemental funding package, to FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund and “offer critical recovery help for Americans impacted by natural disasters,” he said in a press release.
In April 2024, the Economic Support Fund was appropriated for an additional $8 billion for budget support. According to the Government Accountability Office, most of this funding was used to reimburse the government of Ukraine for expenses such as salaries for teachers, civil servants and health care workers.
“I work for the American citizenry, not Ukraine,” Higgins said. “The federal government has appropriated more than $174 billion to Ukraine while American citizens are struggling. Our nation is crippled with debt, and yet the Biden-Harris administration continues to prioritize spending for foreign interests.
"My legislation ensures that we are meeting disaster recovery needs and putting America and American citizens first.”
FEMA and Ukraine aid have been linked since former President Donald Trump that the Biden administration had raided FEMA disaster aid funds to support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.
The Biden administration denied the charge. On Tuesday, FEMA said it has distributed $1.2 billion in assistance to people who sustained damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton.