Source: Fortune
Summary
President Donald Trump has been slow to approve disaster aid requests, with an average wait time of a month and a half, longer than any other president since 1989. Trump has also denied a greater percentage of disaster requests than any president, with a partisan divide in approvals, favoring Republican governors over Democratic ones. The White House denies politicization of disaster relief decisions.
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The numbers tell one story.
Trump’s disaster aid approvals have a clear partisan slant, with Republican governors getting the green light more often than Democrats. The delays in approvals have left individuals, insurers, and local governments to shoulder the costs themselves. Trump’s administration is contemplating changes to FEMA, which could lead to more denials and reduced federal aid. The president’s nominees promise faster decisions, but the partisan divide remains a concern.
It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the politics of disaster relief.
Author: Evan Null
