Hawaii's economic toll from wildfires is up to $6 billion, Moody's estimates
CBSSep 01, 2023
House GOP Committee to Investigate Federal Response to Maui Wildfires
story
Image copyright: Wikimedia Commons
The Facts
Chairman of the US House Oversight Committee James Comer (R-Ky.) said his committee will "examine" the federal and state response to the wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, and work with other committees to ensure accountability and minimize "the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars."
This follows House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-Calif.) statement last week referring to the current confirmed death toll of 115 people. He asked, "How could you lose that many Americans in today’s age," adding that he would launch an investigation.
The Spin
Republican narrative
Those responsible for the lackluster response in Maui should be afraid of this investigation. Officials from the federal level down to the local failed miserably, from not sounding the emergency alarms to trapping victims near the fires by blocking evacuation routes. Joe Biden's public statements during the depth of the crisis showed very little urgency. This probe is badly needed.
Democratic narrative
From FEMA and the Dept. of Health and Human Services to Homeland Security and the US military, the Biden admin. has deployed every tool in its arsenal to help the people of Maui recover from this tragic natural disaster. Hundreds of employees have been deployed, tens of thousands of meals handed out, and $700 was given to each household displaced by the fires. Republicans will turn any tragedy into an opportunity to win political points, but the fact is that the government stepped in when and where it was needed.
