Letter: FEMA’s good work deserves support

Graphic by Lori Deaton

I went home today and called both U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, along with U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards of Western North Carolina. I told them I fully support the Federal Emergency Management Agency; that FEMA has been vital to our survival in this region. The team of workers has been compassionate, kind, helpful, supportive, responsive and organized during our months of the Helene recovery experience; they deserve to be supported by the executive branch of government.

I also reminded each of these men that their job is to put a check and hopefully some balance on the executive branch of government, being that the Congress is constitutionally responsible to do so. My responsibility is to remind them. I did. I will. Have you? Please do. It has been a very bumpy start this year. I don’t want to read their memoirs years from now and see they had “regrets” of inaction back in 2024, 2025, etc.

Here is their contact information:
• Sen. Tillis (N.C.): 202-224-6342.
• Sen. Budd (N.C.): 202-224-3154.
• Rep. Chuck Edwards (WNC): 202-225-6401.

— Michael Harney
Asheville

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Letters
We want to hear from you! Send your letters and commentary to letters@mountainx.com

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.