OKC Standard

Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma has introduced a new bill aimed at preventing discrimination based on political affiliation in federal disaster relief. The Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act seeks to ensure that relief is distributed impartially, irrespective of individuals' political beliefs. This legislative effort comes amid allegations that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) withheld assistance from certain disaster victims due to their political support for former President Trump.

Lankford emphasized the need for impartiality in federal aid, stating, "Discrimination based on political affiliation has no place in federal disaster relief." He noted that existing legislation under the Stafford Act already prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, and other factors. This bill would extend those protections to include political beliefs.

Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina highlighted the impact of Hurricane Helene and expressed concern over reports of politically motivated discrimination in disaster response. "Hurricane Helene was one of the worst natural disasters to ever hit North Carolina," Tillis remarked. "All Americans deserve to be treated the same."

The issue gained attention following reports that a FEMA employee had advised teams to bypass homes displaying signs supporting President-Elect Trump. This led Senator Rick Scott to comment on the situation as "horrible" and "illegal," reinforcing his support for Lankford's bill.

Other senators, including Ted Budd from North Carolina and Jon Ossoff from Georgia, also voiced their backing for the proposed legislation. Budd stated that such actions by government agencies undermine public trust, while Ossoff stressed that no American should be denied aid due to their political stance.

Senators Roger Marshall from Kansas and Jacky Rosen from Nevada joined their colleagues in supporting this bipartisan initiative. They called for fair treatment and unbiased provision of aid during times of crisis.

The proposed bill aims to add political affiliation to the list of protected categories under the Stafford Act, ensuring equitable disaster assistance across all states.