Americans First? Harris Faces Backlash Over $157 Million Lebanon Aid Package

As Americans in the Southeast struggle with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Vice President Kamala Harris has announced that the United States will provide an additional $157 million in aid to Lebanon. The decision comes amid warnings from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that FEMA lacks the funds needed to continue supporting recovery efforts for U.S. citizens through the rest of the hurricane season.

Harris took to X to explain that the new aid package would address the urgent needs of displaced civilians in Lebanon, providing food, shelter, and clean water. She also noted that this brings U.S. aid to Lebanon to more than $385 million over the past year. However, many Americans believe these funds would be better used at home, especially as recovery efforts in North Carolina and Tennessee remain ongoing and another potential hurricane threatens Florida.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) expressed outrage at the decision, saying, “If we renamed Florida and North Carolina to Lebanon and Ukraine, maybe Kamala Harris would send disaster relief faster.” Many conservatives are echoing his frustration, arguing that American citizens should be the top priority for federal aid, particularly in the wake of a natural disaster.

The controversy has reignited the debate over whether U.S. resources should be directed toward foreign aid when Americans are facing crises at home.