Vance accuses FEMA of sending money to migrants: ‘We need to focus on our citizens’

Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, rallied supporters in Tucson, Arizona, on Wednesday, the same day early voting began in the battleground state.

The Republican vice presidential nominee’s message Wednesday underscored the Trump campaign’s “America First” agenda, insisting to rally attendees that putting Americans first is the reason politicians exist at all.

“This country should stand up for the American people first,” Vance said. “We can have compassion for people… definitely we should be compassionate. But do you know to whom our leaders owe the most and, above all, compassion? It’s the American citizens. We should focus on our own people and put their interests first.” “

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Vance referred to the administration of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) migrant funds for housing and resettlement purposes. The roughly $1.7 billion was approved by members on both sides of Congress and allowed some FEMA funding to be used to help states and localities deal with the ongoing refugee crisis.

At the same time, FEMA’s disaster relief fund, which is completely separate from the migrant assistance program, continued to receive nearly $244 billion in funding, ProPublica reported.

Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, speaks at a campaign rally with former President Trump at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

“Disaster relief should be used to prepare for and respond to a disaster when it strikes American territory. Our government must focus on our citizens, put their interests first and take care of American citizens when disaster strikes,” Vance said. “Unfortunately, under the leadership of Kamala Harris, there is FEMA conducting resettlement and resettlement for illegal immigrants.

“FEMA should take care of American citizens when a disaster strikes. That’s all she should do. And when Donald Trump and I are back in office, that’s all she’s going to do.”

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At Wednesday’s rally, held at Tucson Speedway, Vance was accompanied by his wife, Usha; Robert O’Brien, former national security adviser under Trump; Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley; and Arizona GOP Chairwoman Gina Swoboda.

A sign directs Arizona voters to an early voting ballot box outside the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center in Phoenix. (Getty Images/File)

Vance implored people to get out and vote early if they must, despite previous criticism of early voting from both him and Trump. He recalled 2020, when, according to Vance, people who wanted to vote for Trump on Election Day were unable to do so due to unforeseen circumstances.

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“I don’t like election season. I like election day. But we are where we are, my friends,” Vance said. “This is an election season, and if Democrats take advantage of it, we must do the exact same thing. Whether you vote on Election Day, vote by mail, or vote early, get out there and make your voice heard.

“I spoke to many people who planned to vote for Donald Trump in 2020 and 95 out of 100 of them actually voted for Donald Trump. But you talk to the five who didn’t vote for Donald Trump, and “It’s not because they changed their mind, it’s because their child got sick and they had to pick him up from school, or that they worked late that night and didn’t manage to vote before the polls closed. One way to make sure your vote is counted is to make sure it’s counted early.

During one of Act! A sign can be seen at a rally organized in the Tucson, Arizona area. With Pride Tucson and sponsored by Drag PAC. (Rebecca Noble/AFP via Getty Images)

The majority of states have already begun early voting by mail and in person.

In Montana, the largest percentage of registered voters have requested absentee ballots. Biden won Arizona in 2020, but Trump won the state in 2016.

After Wednesday’s rally, Vance headed to Mesa, outside Phoenix, for a town hall hosted by the Conservative Political Action Conference.

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Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, will be in Phoenix on Friday. Former President Trump, the Republican nominee, will be in Prescott Valley on Sunday.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, was also in Arizona on Wednesday campaigning, with stops in Chandler (outside Phoenix) and Tucson.