Don’t look now, but hurricane relief has come back to haunt a bunch of “We-Don’t-Need-Your-Help” conservative Republicans.
Current Events :
Generally speaking, Republicans have traditionally been against the US government offering help to those Americans who need it — unless, of course, they’re one of the ones who actually need the help. Such is the case with Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio. Both are Republican. Both are from Florida. Both have voted against helping Americans in need of assistance. Both actually find themselves in need right now.
Back in 2013, newly elected GOP Congressman Ron DeSantis voted against a federal relief package designed to aid New York and New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy hit the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states in late 2012, killing more than 100 Americans. Sen. Marco Rubio also voted against the hurricane relief package.
Well, that was then and this is now.
DeSantis and Rubio couldn’t have cared less when Hurricane Sandy struck the Northeastern (read: liberal) states. However, when Hurricane Ian struck the State of Florida last Wednesday, both men were quick to forget their previous voting records and beg President Biden for financial assistance.
Can you spell DOUBLE STANDARD??
“Just a reminder to New York … Marco Rubio and Ron DeSantis (who was in Congress at the time) voted against aid for Hurricane Sandy. But, because we are New York, we care about everyone. Even when they don’t care about us,” tweeted New York state assembly member Yuh-Line Niou.
“Marco Rubio voted against federal aid for the victims of Hurricane Sandy — because it mostly affected the ‘blue’ states of New Jersey and New York,” Tristan Snell, a former assistant attorney general for New York, tweeted. “I fully support whatever federal aid is needed for Florida for Hurricane Ian — because it affects America.”
Interestingly, DeSantis and Rubio aren’t the first Republicans who’ve held double standards and/or had “selective amnesia” when it comes to hurricane relief.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas also voted against assistance following Hurricane Sandy — only to backpedal and beg for aid following 2017’s Hurricane Harvey.
“Ron DeSantis and Marco Rubio voted against help for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. What absolute hypocrites. Florida should get all the help it needs, but Florida also deserves better leaders.”
– Tristan Snell
Yes, DeSantis was quick to implore President Biden to use his presidential powers and approve major disaster relief to cover the costs of debris removal and emergency protective services for the first 60 days after the hurricane. Thankfully, the president was quick to prove that he was too big of a man to hold a grudge — and immediately approved hurricane relief aid on behalf of those residents of Florida who are desperately in need.
OK WASSUP! covers Current Events:
Hurricane relief brings GOP double standards.
New York Times: As a freshman congressman in 2013, Ron DeSantis was unambiguous: A federal bailout for the New York region after Hurricane Sandy was an irresponsible boondoggle, a symbol of the “put it on the credit card mentality” he had come to Washington to oppose. “I sympathize with the victims,” he said. But his answer was no. Nearly a decade later, as his state confronts the devastation and costly destruction wrought by Hurricane Ian, Mr. DeSantis is appealing to the nation’s better angels — and betting on its short memory. “As you say, Tucker, we live in a very politicized time,” Mr. DeSantis, now Florida’s governor, told Tucker Carlson on Wednesday night, outlining his request for full federal reimbursement up front for 60 days and urging the Biden administration to do the right thing. “But you know, when people are fighting for their lives, when their whole livelihood is… Read more »