After FEMA Denies Aid to East Palestine, Ohio, Democrats and Republicans Unite to Demand Answers

On Friday, the entire congressional delegation of Ohio, a bipartisan group, sent a letter to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) demanding answers about why the federal government is refusing to send aid to the residents of East Palestine, Ohio following a train derailment in the town on February 3rd.

As previously reported by the DC Enquirer, Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH) has reached out to the federal government for help but has been stonewalled by the Biden administration which is seemingly unwilling to aid the fledgling community.

“Ohio Governor Mike DeWine spoke with officials at the White House early this morning to address the need for federal help,” DeWine said in a statement. “As a result of this conversation, the Governor has requested assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health and Emergency Response Team, and the CDC to provide on-the-ground assistance in East Palestine.”

“The DeWine Administration has been in daily contact with FEMA to discuss the need for federal support, however, FEMA continues to tell Governor DeWine that Ohio is not eligible for assistance at this time,” the Ohio executive explained. “Governor DeWine will continue working with FEMA to determine what assistance can be provided.”

In response to the refusal of the federal government to provide aid, lawmakers took action to help their constituents in their time of need.

SHOCKING VIDEO: J.D. VANCE SHOWS TERRIFYING IMPACT OF EAST PALESTINE TRAIN DERAILMENT ON LOCAL RIVERS

“It is our understanding that Governor DeWine’s Administration has been in communication with your agency about the need for federal support to assist with the cleanup of the Norfolk Southern train derailment and subsequent chemical fire that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3,” the letter began.”

“Despite the severity of the wreckage, chemical release, and the disruption to the lives of local residents we have just been informed that Ohio apparently does not meet the eligibility threshold for FEMA assistance at this time,” the lawmakers wrote. “We respectfully request that you provide a detailed response as to why the residents of this community do not qualify for assistance from your agency.”

“We look forward to your prompt response and your commitment to use any available federal resources to help the suffering residents of this small, rural community,” the bipartisan group concluded.

The letter was signed by Sens. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) along with Reps. Bill Johnson (R-OH), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Mike Carey (R-OH), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Jim Jordan (R-OH), David P. Joyce (R-OH), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Greg Landsman (D-OH), Robert E. Latta (R-OH), Max Miller (R-OH), Emilia Strong Sykes (D-OH), Michael R. Turner (R-OH), and Brad R. Wenstrup (R-OH).

As East Palestine continues to suffer, the federal government must utilize its resources to aid the residents who are in need of assistance. The air and water in the region have been contaminated with hazardous chemicals and it is a dereliction of duty for the FEMA Administrator to not send aid to those in need.

Today, I led the entire #Ohio congressional delegation in sending a letter to @FEMA urging them to provide assistance to help the people of East Palestine after the train derailment. pic.twitter.com/LLDbYs2TL1

— Rep. Bill Johnson (@RepBillJohnson) February 16, 2023

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