McCarthy suggests House may investigate Maui wildfires

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday suggested that the lower chamber may investigate the national response to a devastating wildfire in Maui that killed more than 100 people, with hundreds more still missing.

The emergency response itself has come under scrutiny, with at least one emergency services official resigning over a decision not to set off the warning sirens, and Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez announcing an independent investigator to review the state response.

McCarthy, for his part, questioned the evidently substantial number of missing persons, saying "I’m very concerned about the response," according to The Hill. "How could you lose that many Americans in today’s age? I’m going to be working with committees to investigate what went on so this never happens again."

President Joe Biden attracted considerable scrutiny earlier this month for offering "no comment" on the wildfire while on vacation in Delaware. He later visited the island on Monday for roughly half of the day, before departing to resume a separate vacation in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

"The president’s response, no comment, that’s unacceptable," the California lawmaker said.

Biden has vowed to provide the families affected by the wildfire with one-time $700 payment per household.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.