Official figures seen by Newsweek show that Homeland Security set aside 20 times more FEMA cash for COVID-19 in September alone than it has so-far spent on Hurricane Helene.
Homeland Security figures show that Federal Emergency Management Agency set aside $4.9 billion on COVID-19 relief projects in September, dwarfing the $210 million spent so far on Hurricane Helene.
The figures come amid a political fight over FEMA spending and will raise questions about the agency’s priorities as the East Coast faces the hurricane season with Milton about to bear down on Florida.
The agency has been forced to reject claims that its budget has been drained after former president Donald Trump said that “Kamala spent all her FEMA money—billions of dollars—on housing for illegal migrants.”
Newsweek has contacted FEMA for comment on the level of assistance being earmarked for COVID-19.
Congress recently passeda short-term spending bill, freeing up $20 billion for the agency’s disaster …