Vance slams FEMA for sending money to immigrants: 'We have to focus on the people'

On Wednesday, the same day early voting began in battleground states, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) rallied his supporters in Tucson, Arizona.

The Republican vice presidential candidate's message Wednesday emphasized the Trump campaign's “America First” philosophy, insisting to rallygoers that putting Americans first is the essence of why politicians exist in the first place. did.

“This country should work first for and for the American people,” Vance said. “We can have compassion for people…Of course we should have compassion, but we do not know to whom our leaders owe compassion most and foremost. It's the American people. We should focus on our own people and put their interests first.”

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Vance noted that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers housing and relocation funds to immigrants. Approximately $1.7 billion was approved by lawmakers on both sides of Congress, with some of the FEMA funding earmarked to help state and local governments deal with the ongoing migrant crisis.

At the same time, FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, which is completely separate from the Immigrant Assistance Program, continues to receive nearly $244 billion in funding, ProPublica reported.

Vance said, “Disaster relief should be done to prepare for and respond when disaster strikes American territory. Our government should focus on the people, put their interests first, and ensure that disaster relief does not occur when it occurs.” When we do, we have to take care of the American people.” “Unfortunately, under the leadership of Kamala Harris, FEMA is responsible for the resettlement and removal of illegal immigrants.

“When disaster strikes, FEMA is supposed to take care of the American people. That's all FEMA is supposed to do. And when Donald Trump and I are back in office, that's all FEMA will do.”

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Vance and his wife, Usha, also attended Wednesday's rally at Tucson Speedway. Robert O'Brien, former National Security Adviser in the Trump administration. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley; and Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Gina Swoboda.

Arizona voters will be directed to a ballot drop box for early voting outside the Maricopa County Counting and Elections Center in Phoenix. (Getty Images/File)

Vance urged people to get out and vote early if they need to, despite past criticism from both him and Trump about early voting. Vance said it reminded him of 2020, when people who were trying to vote for Trump on Election Day were unable to do so due to unforeseen circumstances.

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“I don't like election season. I like Election Day. But we're where we are, folks,” Vance said. “We have an election season, and if Democrats are taking advantage of that, we should do the exact same thing. So whether you vote on Election Day or vote by mail, Even if you vote early, get out and make your voice heard.

“I talked to a lot of people who were planning to vote for Donald Trump in 2020, and 95 out of 100 actually went to vote for Donald Trump. I talk to the five people who didn't vote. It's not because they changed their mind, it's because… their kid got sick and they had to pick them up from school, or they worked late that night before school closed. Because you couldn't go to the polls. The way to make sure your voice is counted is to be counted early.”

The billboard can be seen during a rally in the Tucson, Arizona area hosted by ACT. Sponsored by Drag PAC in partnership with Pride Tucson. (Rebecca Noble/AFP via Getty Images)

The majority of states have already begun offering early voting by mail and in person.

In Montana, the largest percentage of registered voters request an absentee ballot. Biden won Arizona in 2020, but Trump won the state in 2016.

After Wednesday's rally, Vance headed to the Phoenix suburb of Mesa for a town hall hosted by the Conservative Political Action Conference.

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Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Phoenix on Friday. Former President Trump, the Republican nominee, is scheduled to visit Prescott Valley on Sunday.

Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, was also on the campaign trail in Arizona on Wednesday, stopping in the Phoenix suburbs of Chandler and Tucson.