GOP Rep. Rosendale says funds earmarked for Ukraine can go to FEMA, but government won't do it

Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., said Thursday that Congress can reallocate funds meant for Ukraine to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for hurricane relief, but the government refuses to. 

"We can take those funds that have been earmarked for Ukraine, and we can direct that into FEMA and specifically say it is to be used for providing emergency services for the people that have just suffered during this hurricane," Rosendale said on the "Just the News, No Noise" TV show. 

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Wednesday that FEMA “does not have the funds” to help Americans for the rest of the hurricane season, according to The New York Post.

Hurricane Helene came through the southeast part of the U.S. just a few days ago, leaving many Americans without power in the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee. 

“We are expecting another hurricane hitting,” he said. “We do not have the funds. FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season and what — what is imminent.”

Rosendale said funds meant to go to Ukraine could be directed to rebuilding utilities and roads. 

"The federal government only does things fast when they choose to do so," he said.