As the Appalachian region reels from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, President Joe Biden has pledged an additional $8 billion in aid to Ukraine, leaving many Americans questioning the administration’s priorities. While the federal government sends billions abroad, residents in flood-ravaged parts of Tennessee and North Carolina are still waiting for sufficient resources to address their immediate needs.
Biden’s recent commitment to Ukraine includes military stockpiles and defense aid, continuing the administration’s ongoing support for President Volodymyr Zelensky’s efforts in the war against Russia. This comes on top of the billions already sent to Ukraine over the past few years, raising concerns among Americans struggling to recover from a natural disaster.
Many in the affected areas are relying on local charity efforts rather than federal assistance, as FEMA’s response has been slow to deliver resources to communities overwhelmed by floodwaters and mudslides. According to FEMA’s website, its top priorities are “equity” and “climate resilience,” rather than emergency preparedness and rapid response — a focus that has drawn criticism from those impacted by Hurricane Helene.
While Americans fight for basic survival, the Biden administration is sending billions overseas to support a foreign conflict. Critics argue that the president should be directing those resources to help rebuild devastated U.S. communities instead of prioritizing Ukraine during a time of crisis for many of his own citizens.
