Schumer blasts Trump officials: Diverting FEMA money to border 'backwards and cruel'

Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerSchumer, Pelosi push Trump to back universal background check bill Sinema says she would back Kennedy in race against Markey Democrats threaten to withhold defense votes over wall MORE (D-N.Y.) blasted the Trump administration on Tuesday over its decision to pull money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies to put toward immigration enforcement efforts.

 

“The Trump administration’s plan to divert money away from FEMA at the start of hurricane season to continue its efforts to separate and jail migrant families is backwards and cruel," Schumer said in a statement.

 

"Taking these critical funds from disaster preparedness and recovery efforts threatens lives and weakens the government’s ability to help Americans in the wake of natural disasters," he continued. "Congress appropriated these funds to meet the American peoples’ priorities and I strongly oppose this effort to undermine our constitutional authority."

 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Tuesday that it will reprogram $271 million to expand its immigration detention capacity and fund a program to return Central American migrants to Mexico.

 

Of the total DHS funding reallocation, $116 million will go toward single adult detention beds, while $155 million will be used to cater to the Migrant Protection Protocols program.

 

In addition to FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, money will be taken from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration.

 

The decision comes as Tropical Storm Dorian is nearing Puerto Rico and could strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches the island.

 

The move has sparked backlash from congressional Democrats who ripped the administration's response to Hurricane Maria, which ravaged the U.S. territory in 2017.

 

In addition to Schumer, Sen. Jeff MerkleyJeffrey (Jeff) Alan MerkleyOvernight Health Care — Presented by Partnership for America's Health Care Future — Pelosi unveils signature plan to lower drug prices | Trump says it's 'great to see' plan | Progressives pushing for changes Missouri man latest to die of vaping-related illness Senators draft bipartisan bill to ban flavored e-cigarettes MORE (D-Ore.) said the decision by the administration to reallocate funds is "déjà vu all over again."

 

"President TrumpDonald John TrumpMarine unit in Florida reportedly pushing to hold annual ball at Trump property Giuliani clashes with CNN's Cuomo, calls him a 'sellout' and the 'enemy' Giuliani says 'of course' he asked Ukraine to look into Biden seconds after denying it MORE and his administration are not just endangering the lives of the children and families they seek to harm in the name of deterrence. By shortchanging preparedness, they’re endangering the lives of millions of Americans who live in hurricane zones as well," he added.

 

House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairwoman Lucille Roybal-AllardLucille Roybal-AllardTrump rips Puerto Rico as 'corrupt' as storm approaches Schumer blasts Trump officials: Diverting FEMA money to border 'backwards and cruel' Trump administration pulling millions from FEMA, other agencies to send to border MORE (D-Calif.) also said in a letter to DHS, dated Friday, that the department had "provided no substantiation for a claim that this transfer is necessary."

 

A spokesperson for FEMA said the transfer would leave a balance of $447 million in the FEMA disaster relief funds base account.