Biden turned down Ohio’s request for disaster assistance.
He claimed the Republican community wasn’t eligible for funds.
Joe Biden refused federal assistance for the town devastated by the toxic train.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under President Joe Biden, rejected a request for federal disaster assistance from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for the train derailment in East Palestine Dan Tierney, a spokesperson for DeWine, told Fox News Digital on Thursday.
After a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, earlier this month, officials decided to burn-off the vinyl chloride inside five tanker cars due to the risk of an explosion.
Vinyl chloride breaks down during combustion into phosgene, a highly dangerous substance that was used as a chemical weapon in World War I.
“We basically nuked a town with chemicals so we could get a railroad open,” said Sil Caggiano, a hazardous materials specialist.
The alleged reason the request was turned down is because the train disaster “does not meet the eligibility” for assistance, unlike a tornado or hurricane which would qualify.
“The DeWine Administration has been in daily contact with FEMA to discuss the need for federal support, however FEMA continues to tell Governor DeWine that Ohio is not eligible for assistance at this time,” DeWine’s office said in a statement earlier in the day.
“Governor DeWine will continue working with FEMA to determine what assistance can be provided.”
FEMA said they were communicating with DeWine but wouldn’t comment on the report that they were refusing funds.
“FEMA is in constant contact with the emergency operations center in East Palestine and with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. We are closely coordinating with EPA, HHS, and the CDC, who are helping to test water and air quality, and to conduct public health assessments,” FEMA spokesperson Jeremy Edwards told Fox News Digital in a statement.
The entire 17-member Ohio congressional delegation has sent a joint letter to FEMA demanding answers why their state “apparently does not meet the eligibility threshold.”
They said: “It is our understanding that Governor DeWine’s Administration has been in communication with your agency about the need for federal support to assist with the cleanup of the Norfolk Southern train derailment and subsequent chemical fire that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3.”
“Despite the severity of the wreckage, chemical release, and the disruption to the lives of local residents we have just been informed that Ohio apparently does not meet the eligibility for FEMA assistance at this time. We respectfully request that you provide a detailed response as to why the residents of this community do not qualify for assistance from your agency.”
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