Mike Lee Supports FEMA Funds For Utah After Calling Federal Disaster Relief Unconstitutional

Freshman Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) recently defended his state's request of millions of dollars in disaster relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency following a spate of devastating flooding, calling into question the consistency of the Tea Party-backed senator's stance on the breakdown of state and federal powers.

"That money is there," Lee said of the FEMA funds, according to Deseret News, made available after Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) declared a state of emergency in the face of torrential downpours that recently pounded southern portions of the Beehive State. "It's been appropriated for disaster relief, and I see no reason why Utah ought not be entitled to receive such federal funds."

The comments may appear surprising considering Lee's prior position, announced in an interview last week, that states, not the federal government, should be expressly responsible for disaster relief, according to the Constitution.

"States will prepare [for disasters] differently if they understand that it's their responsibility rather than that of the federal government," Lee claimed at the time, not wavering even when asked if the state of Louisiana would have been able to deal with the mayhem caused by Hurricane Katrina.

But Lee says there was no contradiction between his current favoring of the funds and his previous comments regarding the role of federal government in providing disaster relief.

"There's no change," Lee told Deseret News. "Those are two different, analytically distinct issues. One relates to what is the government we have now in place, what programs now exist at the federal level. And the other question deals with what should be the proper role of the federal government versus the states."

Comments

[ariveria]

09:38 PM on 01/25/2011

somebody should bring a law suit so utah cant receive the money.

--------------------------------------------------------

"Remember Gabby and the Tucson 6"
Civility Counts

[flyr1710]

09:19 PM on 01/25/2011

it was only a matter of time....

[Edward Standley]

09:00 PM on 01/25/2011

Darn it, I said it and I mean it! Except when I don't. I think. No....wait. Nevermind. ...No wait.

[yellowdoggie]

08:29 PM on 01/25/2011

If I ever run into a Bagger who actually walks the walk, I will kiss his heinie. They all talk the talk, but when it actually comes down to it, they have their hands out just like they accuse everyone else of doing. They don't want "entitlements"? O-Kay! Give back your Social Security and your state's FEMA and the Medicare you are planning on, and all the other goodies. Give back your government health care, you parasite.

[dhhh]

08:20 PM on 01/25/2011

Mr Lee you have a big Mouth

[JeanRR]

08:16 PM on 01/25/2011

It's hard to stand on principles when you don't have any. Right, Mike?

[Brice Lewis]

08:04 PM on 01/25/2011

New picture to be posted under hypocrite in the dictionary.

[PGonz]

08:01 PM on 01/25/2011

Hypocrisy is not just a handy word to use in a name-calling tiff. It's a very real part of a mental imbalance in any individual. Do we have to ask if Mr. Lee actually realizes the level of hypocrisy in his positions and actions? Here's one idea:
"...shame avoidance plays a critical role in the etiology and furtherance of hypocrisy." (1)

At a time in our civilization when we have available to us so many avenues in which to get help for psychological disorders, it seems the most civil course of action is to heal those disorders before taking positions of power in which you can do harm to others. Thank you.
***************************************************
(1) BENEATH THE MASK: Hypocrisy and the Pathology of Shame
Ronald C. Naso PhD
Psychoanalytic Psychology
Volume 24, Issue 1, January 2007, Pages 113-125

[Edward Standley]

09:10 PM on 01/25/2011

One thing I always used to tell young apprentices at work - Don't be afraid to come to me and tell me you made a mistake, the only people who don't make mistakes are people who don't do anything.

[Carolyn LeBeauf]

07:26 PM on 01/25/2011

Looks like Lee is so power hungry, it doesn't matter if he sticks his head in his a-- to get it.

[chaya]

07:20 PM on 01/25/2011

Liar liar, pants on fire.

[studioh!]

07:17 PM on 01/25/2011

flip-1, flop-0; and hypocrisy wins!

[Georgia1992]

07:12 PM on 01/25/2011

Here he is again with mouth wide open. This guy loves the attention.

[kimbanyc]

07:00 PM on 01/25/2011

In the picture he looks like a left handed notzee

[Rickter]

06:41 PM on 01/25/2011

Unfortunately Lee is my Senator. He's a loudmouth, immature wack that is out to make a name for himself over the next 6 years and he'll say anything that gets attention.

I wish he would reject any FEMA funding, this affects most of the people here that voted him in, and Bennett out. They need to learn a lesson, that votes have conquences and that wearing a tea bag hat and shouting how horrible everything is isn't real life. Its interesting that his comments and actions are never even mentioned in the local media (Salt Lake Tribune and others)

[kimbanyc]

07:01 PM on 01/25/2011

move

[yellowdoggie]

08:26 PM on 01/25/2011

Oh, come on.

[ta2t2o]

09:16 PM on 01/25/2011

This is the new "Reality Show" politics created by Sarah Palin at work. It's not about what you actually do for the people - it's how much you can get your name in the press so you can write your book and make money. Just like most of these losers on reality shows like Jersey Shore, The Kardashians, Meet The Hogans, Paris Hilton, The Hills, Housewives of "anywhere", etc. who bring nothing to the table - these people have learned that saying and doing anything will get them attention without bringing any substance. Sarah Palin adopted this artform for politics and it is being used by the likes of Sharron Angle, Christine O'Donnell, Allen West, Michelle Bachmann, Mike Lee, etc.

The best way to test this is to ask them directly - WHAT SPECIFIC PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE COUNTRY? They never are able to say anything specifically. For the next 6 years, you will have a Reality TV Show Congress of these losers who were elected and who fundamentally bring NOTHING TO THE TABLE.

[Machiventa68]

06:04 PM on 01/25/2011

Utah is stuck with this childish loudmouth for six more years. He's the disaster when it comes to Utah.

[thinkingwomanmillstone]

06:51 PM on 01/25/2011

He's the disaster and he's taking a federal paycheck....a new form of federal disaster funding.

[JeanRR]

08:17 PM on 01/25/2011

LOL. Fanned