Rep. Nancy Mace today introduced a new bill that aims to end FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program (SSP). The bill would redirect all unspent funds from the SSP to help Americans recover from natural disasters.
“Our bill will make sure funds meant for disaster relief are utilized where they are needed most — actual disaster relief,” Rep. Nancy Mace added.
According to FEMA's website, the Shelter and Services Program is administered by FEMA in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). SSP provides financial support to non-federal entities to provide humanitarian services to noncitizen migrants following their release from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). FEMA says, the "intent is to support CBP in the safe, orderly and humane release of noncitizen migrants from short-term holding facilities."
FEMA has denied accusations that money meant for disaster relief funds was instead being spent on illegal migrants.
"No money is being diverted from disaster response needs," the department wrote on their website. "FEMA's disaster response efforts and individual assistance is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts. Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts."
In late September, Rep. Mace was one of several Republican lawmakers who voted against extending funding for FEMA. Congress approved $20 billion for FEMA's disaster relief fund as part of a stopgap spending bill to fund the government through December 20th, but the measure left out billions of dollars in requested supplemental disaster funding.
You can read Rep. Mace's full bill here.
