North Carolina’s entire Republican House delegation wants the new Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to “prioritize a comprehensive review of all unallocated FEMA funds designated for Hurricane Helene relief,” according to a letter obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter.
Rep. Tim Moore (R., N.C.), alongside Reps. Greg Murphy (R., N.C.), Virginia Foxx (R., N.C.), Addison McDowell (R., N.C.), David Rouzer (R., N.C.), Mark Harris (R., N.C.), Richard Hudson (R., N.C.), Pat Harrigan (R., N.C.), Chuck Edwards (R., N.C.), and Brad Knott (R., N.C.) all wrote to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin urging him to complement the administration’s efforts to continuing to “ensure FEMA operates more efficiently.”
Western North Carolina was devastated by Hurricane Helene in the final months of the Biden administration, and the lawmakers note that the difference between President Donald Trump and Biden was stark.
“We also want to recognize President Donald Trump’s commitment to the people of Western North Carolina,” they wrote. “His visit following his inauguration, along with his willingness to call out the failures in FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene, sent a strong message to the communities impacted by the storm. We strongly support the President’s continued commitment to our state and efforts to ensure FEMA operates more efficiently.”
“As he begins his new role at DHS, we cannot overstate how important it is that Secretary Mullin continue this administration’s work to address bureaucratic delays at FEMA that have slowed down Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, leaving families struggling to rebuild over a year later,” Moore told the Reporter. “President Trump has made Western North Carolina a priority since day one and emphasized the need for institutional reforms at FEMA — these efforts must carry forward under this new leadership.”
“Secretary Mullin has a strong record of service, and I’m confident he’ll bring the urgency and accountability North Carolinians deserve,” Hudson, who is also the Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), told the Reporter. “If there are any remaining resources that have not yet been delivered, we’ll work with him to ensure they get where they’re needed quickly and efficiently.”
Harris told the Reporter that he looks “forward to partnering with Secretary Mullin to help North Carolinians rebuild after Hurricane Helene. But let’s be crystal clear: Congress must completely overhaul FEMA. The new administration has made progress, yet the bloated bureaucracy still has deep-rooted waste, delays, and outright corruption. President Trump was right — FEMA is a failure. Time for real oversight and real accountability.”
“As part of these efforts,” the lawmakers wrote to Mullin, “we respectfully ask that you prioritize a comprehensive review of all unallocated FEMA funds designated for Hurricane Helene relief. Identifying and addressing any administrative or procedural bottlenecks will be essential to ensuring that obligated funds reach communities in North Carolina as quickly as possible.”
Harrigan added to the Reporter that “Secretary Mullin has spent his career doing things the right way and not the easy way, and that is exactly what Western North Carolina needs right now. I have full confidence he will cut through what has been a deeply frustrating process for families who deserve better, and I am committed to standing with him every step of the way.”
While none of the congressmen were eligible to vote to confirm Mullin as DHS Secretary, both of North Carolina’s Republican senators, Sens. Ted Budd (R., N.C.) and Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) voted to confirm Mullin.
“We are confident that you will bring the same level of leadership to DHS and FEMA that you have demonstrated throughout your years of service in Congress,” the Republicans wrote. “The President has made clear that the old way of doing things is not acceptable. We stand ready to work with you in your new role and provide any assistance.”
