Jill Tokuda: “Last week, President Trump issued an illegal and unconstitutional order for the Federal Government to halt the flow of…”

“Last week, President Trump issued an illegal and unconstitutional order for the Federal Government to halt the flow of Federal funds. Shortly after, FEMA shut down its online portal used to distribute disaster assistance across the country. As if that wasn't enough, President Trump wants the Federal Government to dissolve FEMA and push disaster response and recovery to the States. These policies are not just alarming, they are downright terrifying for communities in Maui, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and now California, still trying to recover from recent disasters. Ending FEMA will be catastrophic for small and rural communities and States across the country that do not have the financial and human resources to quickly and effectively respond to major disasters. In their times of uncertainty and need, Americans deserve to know that the Federal Government will be there for them, no matter where they live. They look to their government for help. Instead, Trump wants to abandon them. This is wrong, this is cruel, and I demand my colleagues, especially those representing disaster-impacted communities, oppose any funding freeze or delays and any efforts to dissolve FEMA. Americans deserve better. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the President. ____________________”