Nancy Mace introduces bill to redirect FEMA funds from migrant support to disaster relief

Rep. Nancy Mace has introduced a new bill aimed at terminating FEMA's Shelter and Services Program (SSP) and redirecting unspent funds to help Americans recover from natural disasters.

According to Mace, the bill addresses concerns about financial resources being allocated to illegal immigrants instead of disaster relief. The bill would transfer the remaining funds from the SSP to the Disaster Relief Fund, which supports emergency response and recovery efforts under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

The Shelter and Services Program, administered by FEMA in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), provides financial support to non-federal entities offering humanitarian services to noncitizen migrants after their release from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). FEMA clarified on its website that no disaster relief funds have been diverted, stating, "FEMA's disaster response efforts and individual assistance are funded through the Disaster Relief Fund. Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster-related efforts."

Rep. Mace's bill follows her recent vote against extending FEMA funding in late September. Although Congress approved $20 billion for FEMA's disaster relief fund in a stopgap spending bill, additional supplemental disaster funding was excluded from the measure.

FEMA has also been criticized by Elon Musk, who accused the agency of obstructing SpaceX's relief efforts in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Investigative journalist Laura Loomer reported claims from a whistleblower alleging that FEMA blocked MedVac helicopters from carrying out rescues and supply deliveries in the state. These allegations have heightened scrutiny of FEMA’s role in managing disaster response efforts.