WASHINGTON — A North Carolina Republican and Democrat seemingly joined forces this week against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying she failed to provide Helene relief funds to Western North Carolina communities fast enough and calling for her resignation.

Congress earmarked $29 billion in recovery funds to the states affected by the 2024 storm, but because of a policy implemented by Noem that she must sign off any dollar amount over $100,000 before the money leaves her office, Western North Carolina communities have faced delays in getting reimbursed for money they paid because of the storm.

Noem appeared Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday to answer questions on topics ranging from immigration to disaster recovery. It came on the heels of a lengthy committee hearing Tuesday before the Senate’s version of the committee.

And there Noem went viral, along with Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, of Huntersville, who accused Noem of violating the law for delaying disbursements of relief funds and called for her resignation.

He also threatened to block her department’s nominations and bills from moving forward in the Senate until she responded to a set of questions he sent her about an immigration enforcement effort in Charlotte, where officials reportedly arrested legal residents.

“Sen. Thom Tillis lambasted you and the failure of your department in disbursing these funds and then magically about $80 million got released today, for which we’re grateful,” Rep. Deborah Ross, D-N.C., said. But she chastised Noem, saying a senator and two representatives — California Rep. Kevin Kiley also requested relief for his state — should not have to come to Noem for money already appropriated by Congress.

Noem defended herself to Ross, saying that North Carolina’s funding has been paid out.

Her statement contrasts with repeated criticism her department has received from Tillis, Ross and Sen. Ted Budd, a Republican from Davie County who rarely steps out of line from President Donald Trump, but who earlier this year also used the tactic of blocking Department of Homeland Security nominations from reaching the Senate floor until Noem released some of the recovery funds.

Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, who announced the $70 million reimbursement released to Avery, Buncombe and Yancey counties on Wednesday morning ahead of Ross’ questioning, but after Tillis’, wrote: “We’ve got lots of work still to do … I look forward to continue working with federal partners to get western NC the resources needed for rebuilding.”

Congress allowed funding for the Department of Homeland Security to lapse beginning Jan. 31, causing a partial government shutdown as Republicans and Democrats navigate oversight of immigration enforcement that has led to the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by immigration agents in Minneapolis.

Noem said because of the lack of funding, 12 states across the country haven’t seen a dollar of recovery funding.

Impact on Western North Carolina

But before Noem was allowed to defend herself during the time allotted to Rep. Ben Cline, a Republican from Virginia, Ross spoke about the impact she said Noem’s policy was having on Western North Carolina.

Ross told Noem that she has talked to many county leaders who spent their tax dollars on recovery efforts, believing that FEMA recovery funds would come swiftly behind. And then the money didn’t come.

“These struggling counties in the western part of the state are some of the most rural counties, they are poor counties,” Ross said. “They do not have the money to front for you.”

She added that now they’re struggling to fund essential services, public schools, emergency services, public health and countless other services for their residents. She also said residents have spent two winters paying mortgages and taxes on homes that are unlivable or may not even be standing, while waiting for Noem to act.

“These delays in paying out this desperately needed recovery funds are simply unacceptable, and you heard that from my Republican senator, Sen. Tillis, yesterday,” Ross said.

Initially, Ross spoke to Noem calmly, unlike Tillis, who began his line of questioning already angered. Ross, however, was set off during her line of questioning when Noem tried to defend herself, pinning recovery and relief failures on Trump’s predecessor, President Joe Biden.

“You cannot find the time until my senator berates you in public to approve this money,” Ross said. “Individual members of Congress should not have to come to you.”

Noem interjected, saying Trump did more for North Carolina than Biden.

Ross shot back that Biden provided greater relief, showed up and didn’t lie about what was happening on the ground.

“I don’t even want to get into the misinformation Trump put out during the campaign,” Ross shouted.

Recovering from Helene

Helene made landfall in the United States as a Category 4 hurricane and tore up the East Coast, causing widespread damage.

North Carolina sustained an estimated $60 billion in damages and at least 108 deaths from the storm.

Lawmakers, who left Washington early because of the storm, and wanting to campaign for their 2024 elections, began putting information out about the storm, with Republicans blaming Democrats Biden and then-Gov. Roy Cooper, who was expected to and is now running for U.S. Senate, for failures to prepare.

There was also a free flow of misinformation following the storm, causing widespread confusion across North Carolina. Trump was among those putting out misinformation.

Like Tillis, Ross cut Noem off, saying that she was reclaiming her allotted time and that Noem has been too slow in sending aid to North Carolina.

“I have heard from Republican county commissioners, I’ve heard this from administrators, I’ve been in the western part of the state, and you have turned a blind eye while you’re busy trying to deport American citizens,” Ross said, while Noem continued to interject.

She then scolded Noem for failing to answer Tillis’ questions about immigration enforcement in Charlotte, saying her department picked up U.S. citizens and intimidated people and that she is “threatening the economy of one of the most prosperous states in this country by practicing malpractice.”

“You should resign or be impeached,” Ross shouted.

Noem asked if she could answer Ross, as Ross shook her head and said no.

“The state of North Carolina has received billions more in Helene relief disaster assistance than President Biden did,” Noem said, being cut off again by Ross.

“Because we appropriated the money,” Ross yelled before throwing up her hand, signaling Noem to stop talking and gathering her things.

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