Three Republicans Who Opposed Sandy Relief Now Demand Disaster Aid For Arizona

[Bjorn Against]

Three Republicans Who Opposed Sandy Relief Now Demand Disaster Aid For Arizona
BY JOSH ISRAEL ON AUGUST 14, 2013 AT 2:33 PM

Arizona Republicans Sen. Jeff Flake, Sen. John McCain, and Rep. Paul Gosar all voted against emergency relief funding after SuperStorm Sandy ravaged much of the New Jersey and New York area earlier this year. Now, following an Arizona wildfire, the same trio is vocally complaining that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is not doing enough to aid their state.

In light of sequestration and budget tightening, FEMA has limited funding and cannot respond to every single flood, fire, and other issue that hits. Last week, the agency announced that it would not declare Yarnell, Arizona, a federal disaster area. A spokesman explained that while the agency had assisted firefighters during the deadly June blaze, “the damage to uninsured private residences from this event was not beyond the response and recovery capabilities of the state/local governments, and voluntary agencies.”

McCain and Flake, who had partnered to ask for a federal disaster declaration, issued a joint statement Monday, lamenting that it was “a shame that FEMA couldn’t find it within their mission to help rebuild their homes and lives.” A riled McCain added that in light of the 19 firefighter deaths and the 134 destroyed homes, “the damage that was done was very substantial and, I believe, qualified. So, we’re going to do everything we can to urge the president to change his mind. Including, I will be making some phone calls.”

snip

Gosar, a climate change denier, has blamed “extreme environmental groups” for Arizona’s many wildfires.

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/08/14/2467861/three-arizona-republicans-fema-hypocrisy/

For the record I think Arizona probably should get federal aid, but I also think politicians need to be called out on their hypocrisy. It seems the Republicans are fine with government aid as long as that aid goes only to red states.

[GP6971]

1. What goes around, comes around. n/t

[Historic NY]

2. A few more baskets ought to do it...Jeff, John & Paul get going.

[Shrike47]

3. Sandy destroyed 15,000 homes and killed 11 people and you voted no aid.

I hope somebody mentions this to Arizonans frequently. Their representatives, their karma.

[hatrack]

4. Then fuck them - they can whine until charcoal sprouts

Hypocritical bastards.

[Hubert Flottz]

5. I agree!

They can go pound sand! "Mr. Flake" sounds about right for a republican of any stripe.

[Gravitycollapse]

6. It's not the politicians who need the money. So when you say fuck them, you really mean...

fuck the unfortunate victims of a deadly forest fire.