One of the most common concerns that I hear from people in the High Country right now is that representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – who are currently on the ground – spend more time telling people what it cannot do rather than what it can do.  FEMA should provide information and direct those impacted by Hurricane Helene to sources of aid and relief. Instead, FEMA dithers and lets inaction run wild while the weather grows colder, and lives are on the line – time cannot be wasted while people need help. It should not be up to disaster survivors to navigate the bureaucratic labyrinth in their time of need. FEMA appears to be plagued by poor decision making and a serious lack of communication. Just look at its mission statement:

“To help people before, during, and after disasters”

It remains clear that FEMA is not living up to its own mission statement – and this is a rather telling sign of gross mismanagement. Two weeks ago, I pressed FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell on this exact issue when she came before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and like what I continue to hear from people in the 5^th District, she provided so-called answers with little to no substance. Why is it that FEMA is unable to provide basic information to those suffering from disasters in a timely fashion? How can the agency claim to be “committed to helping people” when it fails to provide that basic information?

Here's the solution that I hammered home with Administrator Criswell: create a roadmap available to those affected by disasters with clear and concise information on what people can expect from FEMA. This roadmap should include how much and what kind of aid people can expect to receive, a timeline for aid, information on all available assistance, and what types of decisions will have to be made in the coming weeks, months, and years. You can rest assured that I will continue to press FEMA and ensure they provide timely information so that people can get the answers they deserve. If you or someone you know are experiencing problems with FEMA and other agencies, please contact my offices in Boone and Clemmons so that we may step in and work to resolve the issue. Below, you’ll find the telephone numbers for both offices:

Boone: 828-265-0240 | Clemmons: 336-778-0211

My Newest Bill

Recently, I introduced the bipartisan Protect Economic Freedom Act alongside Representative Josh Gottheimer, legislation that prohibits colleges and universities from receiving federal student aid if they engage in commercial boycotts dictated by those in the boycott-sanction-divest (BDS) movement. Enough is enough. Appeasing the antisemitic mobs on college campuses threatens the safety of Jewish students and faculty and it undermines the relationship between the U.S. and one of our strongest allies. If an institution is going to capitulate to the BDS movement, there will be consequences – starting with the Protect Economic Freedom Act.

New Scam Alert

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has recently compiled a list of 12 common holiday scams targeting consumers – as well as helpful tips to help avoid these scams. Below are just a few examples of how scammers are targeting Americans right now:

• Misleading social media ads.
• Social media gift exchanges.
• Fake toll collection texts.
• Temporary holiday jobs.

To read the full list of holiday scams, click here.

Quote of The Week

“I have an institutional fear of big government. I have an institutional opposition to bureaucracy.”

-Rush Limbaugh

 Have a blessed weekend,