Samuel Case, FISM News
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Vice President Kamala Harris raised eyebrows on Friday when she suggested that Hurricane Ian relief efforts should be based on “equity,” causing government officials and agencies to clarify that despite her words all individuals affected by Hurricane Ian would be able to apply for assistance regardless of race or ethnicity.
“It is our 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,” Harris said on Friday at the Democratic National Committee’s Women’s Leadership Forum in D.C.
She continued, “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.”
Christina Pushaw, the Director of Rapid Response for Florida Republican Governor DeSantis’ re-election campaign, said Harris’s comments were causing “undue panic” and needed clarification.
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
On Sunday Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) appeared on CBS’s “Face The Nation,” where he said Harris “thinks that FEMA is going to treat people differently based on their skin color.”
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell later appeared on the program to clarify the Vice President’s comments.
“I would say I believe some of the things the vice president was talking about are the long-term recovery and rebuilding these communities to be able to withstand disasters, so they can have less impact. We’re going to support all communities,” Criwsell said.
“I committed that to [Governor Ron DeSantis], I commit to you right here that all Floridians are going to be able to get the help that is available to them through our programs,” she said.