There's an Update on Security for Biden's Gaza Port and a New 'Peacekeeping...
Biden Blows Off Respects for Murdered New York City Police Officer
New York City Councilwoman Gets Ratioed Into Oblivion Over One Question
Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced in Massive Crypto Fraud Case
‘No Tampons, No Peace!’: Panic at Vanderbilt University Sit-In As Protestors Realize It...
Charlotte Radio Host Speaks Out About His Interview With KJP That Made Headlines
Trump, Biden Will Both Be in New York on Thursday...but for Very Different...
New Poll Shows How Hispanic Voters Feel About Biden Describing Laken Riley's Alleged...
Who Will Replace Mike Gallagher? Poll Shows It's Pro-Trump Alex Bruesewitz’s 'Race to...
Flashback: Two Cycles After Running on Gore's Ticket, Lieberman Endorses McCain at GOP...
Here's When Impeachment Articles Against Mayorkas Will Be Presented to the Senate
Tennessee Music Venue to Host ‘Trans Day Of Vengeance’ Event One Year After...
There Was Very Little Pete Buttigieg Was Able to Tell Us About Bridge...
An Illegal Alien Encouraged Others to Invade American Homes. Here's What Happened Next.
Time for Another Bizarre, Easily-Disprovable Lie From Joe Biden
Tipsheet

Trump Chides FEMA for Denying Disaster Relief to Churches

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been doing incredible work down in Texas and Florida these past few weeks as the states recover from Harvey and prepare for Irma. Under the purview of administrator Brock Long, the agengy has been utilizing all resources to get victims the help they need. Yet, FEMA's decision to reject disaster relief funding to three churches in Texas seeking to rebuild their communities in the wake of Hurricane Harvey is causing leaders to shake their heads. All three have filed lawsuits agains the agency.

Advertisement

One of the churches, the Hi-Way Tabernacle, sheltered 70 people and provided over 8,000 emergency meals.

President Trump said FEMA deserves those funds.

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) noted his own frustration in a new statement.

"This policy discriminates against people of faith," he wrote. "It sends the message that communities of worship aren’t welcome to participate fully in public life.... It reduces the facilities and volunteer time, talent, and effort available to support the broader community. And it is inconsistent with the Supreme Court’s recent 7-2 ruling in Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer.... In other words, it is unjust. It is unconstitutional. It is unreasonable. And it is impeding ongoing recovery efforts."

Sasse used a recent court ruling, Trinity Lutheran v. Comer, to bolster his argument. In that case, the judges ruled that excluding a religious organization from a public benefit for no other reason than its being a church, is "odious to our Constitution . . . and cannot stand.”

Advertisement

"When facilities for stamp and coin collecting are eligible for aid, but houses of worship aren’t, something has gone seriously wrong," Sasse added.

Don't be misled by this current disagreement. Trump does appear to have a good overall relationship with Long and FEMA. The two have complimented one another for their efforts in the past couple of weeks, with Long telling Fox News anchors how thankful he was that the president was so "engaged." 

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement