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Congresswoman Accuses DHS Chief of Misusing Disaster Funds

3/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) accused Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem of withholding disaster relief funds and misusing hundreds of millions on self-promotional contracts.
Ross stated that $80 million in relief funds were released only after Senator Thom Tillis criticized Noem's department, contradicting FEMA's claims of no oversight pressure.
Ross emphasized that Western North Carolina has endured two winters without adequate disaster recovery funding and criticized Noem's spending on private jets and public relations as wasteful.
Ross also mentioned the ongoing partial government shutdown affecting DHS.

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Story summary

Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) accused Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem of withholding disaster relief funds and misusing hundreds of millions on self-promotional contracts.
Ross stated that $80 million in relief funds were released only after Senator Thom Tillis criticized Noem's department, contradicting FEMA's claims of no oversight pressure.
Ross emphasized that Western North Carolina has endured two winters without adequate disaster recovery funding and criticized Noem's spending on private jets and public relations as wasteful.
Ross also mentioned the ongoing partial government shutdown affecting DHS.