A group of Republican lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee announced Friday that they will launch an investigation into the Biden administration’s response to the deadly wildfires in Hawaii.
The wildfires killed over a hundred people on the island of Maui early last month and nearly destroyed the town of Lahaina. The fire, which killed more than 110 people, caused over $5.5 billion in damage, the Federal Emergency Management Agency estimated.
“The deadly wildfire in Maui shocked the nation and left many, especially those directly impacted by the tragedy, with serious questions that remain unanswered today,” Reps. James Comer (R-Ky.) and Pete Sessions (R-Texas) said in a joint statement. “President Biden built his entire reputation on empathy and compassion but failed to deliver an appropriate response when it mattered most.”
The House Oversight Committee would be the second congressional panel to look into the federal response. The Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on the fires later this month.
President Biden said he welcomes any investigation from Republicans, arguing that his administration responded effectively. The White House has already pledged nearly $100 million to rebuild electrical infrastructure on the island.
Electrical infrastructure is believed to be the cause of the fire. Multiple homeowners and the Maui government have sued the local utility company — Hawaiian Electric — claiming that its lack of action preparing for the high-wind storm caused the massive blaze.
Comer and Sessions said their investigation will be focused on ensuring FEMA responded appropriately and “is utilizing every tool at their disposal efficiently.”
It is estimated that cleanup and recovery from the fire could take up to a year and cost over $1 billion. That process would be a collaboration between FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said.
Schatz added that the federal government has agreed to bear all recovery costs for the first three months of recovery.
Next up: Biden sneezes, and the Republicans launch probe to investigate improper use of Kleenex.
Can you imagine if Biden tried to wear a tan suit?
Bro should wear a tan suit.
No no. No. He should wear something from the 70’s. Maybe some sequenned disco jumpsuit thing.
(Do it for Halloween…)
Two words: Dijon mustard
My god! It’s like the “terrorist fist jab” all over again!
Don’t make me salute you while holding a latte!
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Or used Dijon, OMG Dijon.
Oh come the fuck on…
Nope. This is who they are. Forever. (I don’t like it)
Laptop fires are not a joke, Flying Squid.
Republicans should investigate how their own climate policies (or lack thereof) have contributed to this and many other “natural” disasters that have led to the deaths of numerous Americans in recent years.
Republicans SHOULD do a lot of things. If only they weren’t hypocritical jerks…
It’d be great if they identified what they think should have been done differently, but this isn’t actually about trying to help people more effectively, so they speak in vague partisan generalities instead
I know I’m in the minority on this but I’m actually OK with this. Federal responses to disasters should always be scrutinized – that being said, I’m sure this is not a good faith attempt considering its the Rs but I guess I agree in principle
I agree if this was done by a bipartisan board with good intentions, but this is just political showmanship.
straws … grasping …
Biden should wear a tan suit and see if they’ll set up an investigation about it
Ah yes, blaming the other party instead of looking at how it could have been prevented in the first place and trying to help implement those changes - that always helps.
Maybe if they decided to, oh I don’t know, help improve the infrastructure for our state somehow with federal funding so shit like this doesn’t happen, that would be a great start considering the majority of the islands outside of Oahu are basically rural neighborhoods.
My neighbor in Haiku lived down a dirt road and part of the road on the way to Paia was half washed out from 6 days straight of rain earlier this year.
If only this investigation could “determine” that they should nationalize Hawaiian Electric.
That’s a state problem, and it’ll never happen because they also operate either Central Pacific Bank or American Savings Bank over here - I forget which specifically. They basically run one of the biggest local banks here in addition to having a large monopoly on power across most of the islands.
You know what, where was Biden the night of the fire? Maybe he was in the bushes cooking some hobo food. Then a spark jumped into some dry shrubs and the rest is history. I can only imagine this is what the repubs are accusing him of.
Hunter’s laptop started the fire.
That just reeks of desperation.
I bet you anything if Republicans held the presidential seat, the bare minimum, if anything at all would have been sent to help Hawaii. Doesn’t line their own greasy and slimy pockets of money.
I don’t remember any videos of Biden throwing paper towels to/at anyone.
Not surprised at all by the hypocrisy. These are the same people that have continually voted against taking care of veterans and 9/11 first responders.
Florida wouldn’t have those issues if they would sweep up all those palm tree leaves.
We elect politicians based on their rage, and then we are surprised by the outcome.
