Michael Burgess Wants FEMA Help, But Votes Against FEMA Funding

Congressman Michael Burgess’ recent comments bemoaning the failure of the federal government to come to the aid of North Texans to help clean up and repair damage caused by Tropical Storm Hermine are hypocritical because Burgess voted against funding for FEMA disaster relief, Neil Durrance, the Congressman’s opponent in the November 2 election said early Wednesday.

            In a press statement issued by Burgess’ office, the Congressman criticizes the federal government’s lack of assistance and failure to declare a disaster in multiple Texas counties following Hermine, noting, “it is the responsibility of the federal government to aid the state and counties in clean-up and repairing the damage the storm caused.”  

            Durrance said Burgess’ stance is hypocritical because the incumbent Congressman voted against the very aid funding that would help North Texans.

            Burgess voted against $2 billion in funding for FEMA disaster relief, $844 million to operate FEMA, $200 million for FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program, and against $330 million in funding for Emergency Management Performance Grants for state and local government disaster mitigation and preparedness programs. [111^th Congress, Roll Call Vote No. 450, H.R. 2892, June 24, 2009]

            He was one of only 37 congressmen to vote against the bill.

            “I can’t believe that the same Congressman who voted against the funds that would be used for clean-up and repairs in North Texas would now complain about North Texas not getting the funds,” Durrance said. “It’s the case of Dr. Burgess and Mr. Hyde,” he continued.

            Durrance, a former Denton City Councilman and attorney, said Burgess’ behavior was typical of an out-of-touch Washington insider who has been inside the Beltway too long.

            “He’s been in Washington so long he’s forgotten that people back home in the district have access to the Internet and can actually go online and look up his voting record and see that he voted against the very funds he’s complaining about,” Durrance said.

            Durrance said that when he is the District’s Congressman, he’ll work on behalf of North Texans and not simply spring up like a jack-in-the-box any time he feels it will get his name in print.

            “This is a clear cut example of why North Texas needs new leadership in Congress,” Durrance noted. “He says that it is the federal government’s responsibility to help in the event of a disaster, but votes against the very appropriations that make it possible. That’s nothing more than the politics of convenience,” Durrance said.

            “I disagree with the President’s decision not to declare a disaster for the counties affected by Hermine, and I would have never voted against funds that would help the residents and governments of our district recover from a disaster,” Durrance said.