Controversy Grows Over Harris’s Aid Decision During U.S. Crisis

Vice President Kamala Harris faces backlash for allocating $157 million in aid to Lebanon while Hurricane Helene victims in North Carolina struggle to recover.

At a Glance

Harris announced $157 million in additional aid to Lebanon, bringing total U.S. assistance to $385 million over the last year.
Critics argue the focus should be on aiding American citizens affected by Hurricane Helene.
Harris also announced $100 million in emergency relief for North Carolina to repair flood damage.
Hurricane Helene has resulted in 227 deaths, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since Katrina in 2005.
The disaster response has become a contentious issue in the presidential race.

Harris’s Aid Announcement Sparks Controversy

Vice President Kamala Harris has ignited a fierce debate by pledging $157 million in aid to Lebanon while parts of North Carolina grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from conservative figures and lawmakers who argue that domestic disaster relief should take precedence over international aid.

The people of Lebanon are facing an increasingly dire humanitarian situation. I am concerned about the security and well-being of civilians suffering in Lebanon and will continue working to help meet the needs of all civilians there.

To that end, the United States will provide…

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) October 5, 2024

Critics Slam Harris’s Priorities

The timing of Harris’s announcement has drawn fierce criticism from conservative voices. Actor James Woods expressed disbelief on social media, stating, “This has to be fake. Even Kamala Harris, the gold standard of stupid, isn’t stupid enough to post this. Certainly not while North Carolinians are pulling the bodies of their neighbors from the wreckage. It’s simply inconceivable.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott joined the chorus of criticism, declaring on social media, “Kamala is touting giving money to the people of Lebanon-while stiff-arming the humanitarian crisis in North Carolina. This is Kamala’s Katrina.” The comparison to the widely criticized response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 underscores the political sensitivity surrounding disaster relief efforts.

Domestic Relief Efforts Underway

While the controversy over the Lebanon aid package rages, the Biden administration has taken steps to address the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Harris announced $100 million in emergency relief for North Carolina to repair flood damage. Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has designated $47 million in disaster assistance for Helene’s impact, with President Biden approving federal disaster aid for affected states.

The disaster response has become a contentious issue in the presidential race, with former President Donald Trump and his campaign criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of the hurricane aftermath. Trump has labeled the federal response as incompetent, further politicizing the relief efforts.

Congressional Action on Hold

As the debate over aid allocation continues, House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced that Congress will not be called out of recess for emergency funding for Hurricane Helene recovery. Johnson stated, “That’s 30 days from now. The thing about these hurricanes and disasters at this magnitude is it takes a while to calculate the actual damages, and the states are going to need some time to do that.”

This decision has drawn criticism from some lawmakers who argue for immediate action. As the recovery efforts continue and the political debate intensifies, the American people await further developments in both domestic and international aid allocations.