Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ team leveled Kamala Harris for implying that Hurricane Ian resources should be prioritized to people in lower-income communities and to “communities of color”, suggesting they are the “most impacted by these extreme conditions.”
Harris’s comments were quickly leveled by Christina Pushaw, rapid response director for DeSantis’ reelection campaign, telling storm victims affected by Ian, “This is false”.
“It is our, um, lowest income communities and our communities of color that are most impacted by these extreme conditions and impacted by issues that are not of their own making,” Kamala Harris claimed Friday afternoon regarding Hurricane Ian, during the Democratic National Committee’s Women’s Leadership Forum.
“And so, we have to address this in a way that is about giving resources based on equity, understanding that we fight for equality, but we also need to fight for equity — understanding not everyone starts out at the same place, and if we want people to be in an equal place, sometimes we have to take into account those disparities,” Harris said.
Christina Pushaw pushed back at Harris’ comments, writing on Twitter, “This is false. VP’s rhetoric is causing undue panic and must be clarified. FEMA Individual Assistance is already available to all Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian, regardless of race or background.”
“If you need assistance visit disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362,” Pushaw added.
Kamala Harris’ remarks:
Kamala on Hurricane Ian relief:
The Biden administration will focus on “giving resources based on equity” by directing funds to “communities of color” pic.twitter.com/uixPpyQWdU
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) September 30, 2022
Christina Pushaw responds:
This is false. @VP's rhetoric is causing undue panic and must be clarified. FEMA Individual Assistance is already available to all Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian, regardless of race or background. If you need assistance visit https://t.co/x9X8AstnzL or call 1-800-621-3362. https://t.co/idsw1PX86x
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) September 30, 2022
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) states on its website the requirements to apply for assistance: “You will need to confirm you are a United States citizen, non-citizen national or qualified non-citizen.”
“Applicants must be able to prove the disaster-damaged home was their primary residence. Applicants are required to inform FEMA of all insurance coverage that may be available to them to meet their disaster-caused needs,” the website says.
DeSantis’ team also tweeted of Harris’ comments:
I would be panicking if my relatives were in Fort Myers right now and the Vice President said that they wouldn't be prioritized for FEMA assistance because they're white. Fortunately, I know what is going on with the #HurricaneIan assistance and there is no racial discrimination. https://t.co/wEr03QeLgm
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) September 30, 2022
Exactly. Thats why I am trying to debunk the VP's misinformation and make sure people know they can get FEMA assistance if they were impacted by the storm. What can expedite FEMA assistance is applying with a photo of the water level in your home. Nothing about race. https://t.co/BNCfjRqJbH
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) September 30, 2022
I completely agree. I have clarified that FEMA assistance isn't being allocated by race in Florida, but the @VP needs to correct what she said as well. A real journalist would simply ask her to clarify what she meant by those comments and why she misrepresented the relief effort. https://t.co/EXjJH2d99d
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) September 30, 2022
This is important. AGAIN, your race or ethnicity doesn’t factor into your eligibility for this program or any FEMA assistance. See thread for more information on how to access it #HurricaneIan https://t.co/lp3x4f4P4u
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) October 1, 2022
It is! Kamala Harris didn’t tell the truth. Thank you! https://t.co/Fd5xpR61Hp
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) October 1, 2022
Meanwhile on Friday, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that the first $1 million from the newly established Florida Disaster Fund has been awarded to organizations helping the storm victims.
The most competent, compassionate, and proactive administration I’ve experienced in my 18 years here in Florida. https://t.co/fmNqOww9eL
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) October 1, 2022
$20 million in 48 hours is a testament to the generosity, compassion and good will from people across the county. @GovRonDeSantis and I are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support, thank you 🙏 pic.twitter.com/AT2kqBM2Qi
— Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) October 1, 2022
Related: Gov. DeSantis to Advantage Takers: ‘Don’t Even Think About Looting…We are a Second Amendment State’
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