WATCH: KJP Can't Explain Why Biden-Harris Won't Help Helene Survivors, Storms Out Of Press Briefing
The Biden administration faced sharp criticism Monday when White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre struggled to provide a clear explanation as to why the federal government can send billions in aid to Lebanon while disaster assistance for Hurricane Helene survivors in North Carolina remains in limbo. Fox News’ Peter Doocy pressed Jean-Pierre on the issue during a contentious press briefing, leading to a heated exchange that ended with Jean-Pierre storming out of the room.
The controversy centers around the administration’s decision to allocate billions of dollars to international aid efforts while disaster relief funds for domestic crises, such as the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, require congressional approval. “On this issue of funding, the administration has money to send to Lebanon without Congress coming back. But Congress does have to come back to approve money to send to people in North Carolina. Do I have that right?” Doocy asked.
“Here’s what I’m going to be very clear about,” Jean-Pierre began. “The President and the Vice President have had a robust whole of government response. Hundreds of millions of dollars, I said it at the top, more than $200 million that we have directly put towards survivors here for disaster help. And that’s because of this President’s commitment to make sure that we are there for communities that are impacted.”
Doocy pressed further, questioning the administration’s priorities: “President Biden is fond of saying, ‘show me your budget, and I will tell you what you value.’ If he’s got money for people in Lebanon right now, without Congress having to come back, what does it say about his values? There’s not enough money right now for people in North Carolina who need it. That’s not misinformation.”
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Jean-Pierre insisted that Doocy’s premise was inaccurate, labeling it “misinformation” multiple times. She reiterated that the administration had allocated funds to disaster relief efforts but failed to directly address why congressional approval was necessary for additional aid. “There is money that we are allocating to the impacted areas, and there’s money there to help people who truly need it,” Jean-Pierre said, before criticizing what she described as “disinformation and misinformation.”
Despite her defense, the questions persisted. Doocy referenced a letter from President Biden to congressional leaders, calling for more funding but highlighting that the administration’s hands were tied without Congress. “I’m reading from a letter that President Biden sent to Johnson, McConnell, Schumer, and Jeffries. The President’s letter is not misinformation. Would you agree?” he asked.
As the tension mounted, Jean-Pierre repeatedly urged Congress to “do their job” and approve the necessary funds. “Congress needs to come back and do their job and provide extra assistance, extra funding to the Disaster Relief Fund,” she insisted. However, her repeated claims of misinformation and refusal to directly answer why aid to Lebanon didn’t require similar congressional approval left the room unsatisfied.
In the end, Jean-Pierre appeared visibly frustrated. After a final exchange with Doocy, she abruptly left the podium, leaving many unanswered questions and fueling further speculation about the administration’s priorities.