The House Oversight Committee has announced that it will launch an investigation into the Biden administration's response to the Maui wildfires.
Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) said there are "serious questions" about the government's handling of the wildfires that killed more than 100 people.
Another day, another investigation.
Maui fire update: House Oversight to launch inquiry into Biden handling of situation | Washington Examiner https://t.co/PKLKEWF9PY
— Cassis (@cassisnouveau) August 29, 2023
“The response by federal, state, and local officials to the catastrophic wildfire in Maui raises serious questions, and Americans, especially those impacted by this tragedy, deserve answers," Comer said.
"As recovery efforts continue, the House Oversight Committee has a responsibility to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently and effectively. To minimize the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars, the Oversight Committee will examine the federal government’s response in Maui and work with other committees of jurisdiction to ensure accountability,” he added.
115 declared dead. A 1000+ missing. Maui Emergency mgmnt failed Lahaina. #MauiWildfires
Maui fire investigation: Maui's top emergency officials were on a different island for a disaster t… https://t.co/f5JH7g17J2 via https://t.co/l6qKWyibOR
— Sturgis Mary (@SturgisMary) August 24, 2023
"Maui's top emergency officials were on another island when the wildfires begun, it emerged on Wednesday - and did not join a call about the response until five hours after the blazes broke out," the Daily Mail reported.
"Dozens of senior bureaucrats were gathering on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, on August 8 for the annual meeting of FEMA coordinators in the Pacific region," it continued.
#BREAKING: The chairman confirmed the investigation just days before Speaker Kevin McCarthy is expected to visit Hawaii. @nickgrube #HInews #MauiFires https://t.co/SY29yB13fc
— Honolulu Civil Beat (@CivilBeat) August 29, 2023
"On Aug. 13, while the president was vacationing in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, a reporter traveling with him asked him to address the rising death toll in Lahaina. He was caught on camera smiling and responding with a 'no comment,'" Civil Beat reported.
"At that time, Biden had yet to visit the disaster zone and his seemingly nonchalant answer to the reporter’s question sparked outrage among many," it continued.
Officials have recently released a list of more than 300 Maui residents unaccounted for following the fires.
While some believe the committee's move is politicizing the situation, others are glad to see some action to discover why the federal government appeared slow to respond.
The information could also be an important part of Republican attacks on the president as GOP candidates continue their run for the White House in 2024.
