In a move that shouldn’t be necessary in a functioning democracy, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) has introduced the “Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act.” This bill aims to ensure federal disaster relief is provided impartially, without any consideration of political affiliation. Yes, it’s 2023, and Congress actually has to legislate against FEMA skipping homes with Trump flags during disaster recovery. Welcome to Biden’s America.
“Discrimination based on political affiliation has no place in federal disaster relief,” Lankford told The Daily Wire. “The Stafford Act already requires that disaster assistance be provided impartially, without discrimination based on race, religion, or other factors. Adding political affiliation to this list ensures that relief is given fairly, regardless of a person’s beliefs.”
Lankford’s bill comes after a whistleblower revealed that a now-fired FEMA supervisor instructed relief workers in Florida to skip homes displaying Trump signs. At least 20 homes were reportedly bypassed due to the directive, an appalling abuse of power in a country where everyone’s tax dollars fund federal disaster aid—whether they vote red, blue, or purple.
This kind of partisan pettiness reached its peak under FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington, who has since been fired. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, under pressure from Congress, testified that this was an “isolated incident.” Sure, because nothing says “isolated” like needing a bipartisan bill to explicitly ban it from happening again.
The bipartisan support for Lankford’s measure includes co-sponsors such as Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA). But let’s be clear: this wouldn’t even be a conversation if FEMA weren’t under the watch of an administration that seems to think federal agencies are their personal political weapon.
The idea that disaster relief—something funded by all taxpayers—could be doled out based on political bias is both chilling and infuriating. But this is what happens when Democrats spend more time fighting Trump supporters than fighting actual disasters. Senator Lankford’s bill is a necessary step toward restoring trust and ensuring that Americans are treated fairly, regardless of who they vote for. The left can keep pushing their petty, partisan games, but the rest of the country sees right through it. Under Republican leadership, this nonsense will stop.
