Republicans Call for SBA Accountability on Disaster Response to Maui Fires

(L-R) US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Hawaii Governor Josh Green, and wife Jaime Green walk along Front Street to inspect wildfire damage in Lahaina, Hawaii on August 21, 2023. The Bidens are expected to meet with first responders, survivors, and local officials following deadly wildfires in Maui. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Republicans are requesting that the Small Business Administration (SBA) brief their committee on the department’s disaster response to the Maui, Hawaii fires.

Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas), chairman of The House Committee on Small Business, has sent a letter (pdf) pressing for clarity regarding the SBA response to the tragedy.

The fatal flames broke out on August 8, just a few days after the National Weather Service issued a warning that the combination of Hurricane Dora’s winds and drought could create conditions favorable to wildfires.

The subsequent fire completely destroyed the historic resort community of Lahaina. According to an update released by the County of Maui on August 23, 115 deaths have been verified, making this the deadliest conflagration in the United States in more than a century.

In the aftermath of the catastrophe, the precise number of missing individuals is unknown, but reports indicate that more than 1,000 people are still unaccounted for.

The fires have prompted a nationwide outpouring of sympathy, however, reports of a lackluster government response have spurred the Committee’s interest in evaluating the SBA’s disaster recovery efforts.

The letter, addressed to Isabella Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the SBA, outlines the committee’s concerns and requests for information on the agency’s efforts.

“Survivors are now navigating tremendous recovery efforts. The Small Business Administration (SBA) assists survivors mainly though [sic] disaster loans that the Agency has provided since 1953,” the chairman’s letter stated. “Unfortunately, Maui survivors are reporting a lackluster government response, and thus the Committee seeks information and requests a staff-level briefing on the SBA’s response to this tragedy.”

The agency is known to collaborate with the Resource Partner Network, which includes Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, and others.

In the letter, Chairman Williams expresses the Committee’s commitment to ensuring the effective use of taxpayer-funded resources during times of crisis. The Committee’s request for a staff-level briefing and documentation aims to evaluate the SBA’s response to the Maui fires.

The requested information includes details on the SBA’s immediate response plan, average disaster loan processing times, application status updates, coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), plans for Business Recovery Centers, and the long-term strategy to aid those affected by the fires.

Additionally, the Committee seeks insights into the impact of relocating disaster loans under the Office of Capital Access and efforts to directly assist survivors without internet access.

“The Committee is keenly aware of the challenges that disaster efforts face and how the SBA helps survivors rebuild. When Americans are in need, the resources their tax dollars fund should, at minimum, work effectively,” Mr. Williams said in the letter. “The Committee is interested in ensuring that these resources are being administered properly. We therefore request a staff-level briefing on the SBA’s response to the Maui fires, as soon as possible but no later than August 31, 2023.”

The Committee chairman denoted his authorization to investigate various small business-related matters under House Rule X and stated that his committee anticipates cooperation from the Small Business Administration in addressing its inquiry.

Possible Congressional Investigation

Wednesday, U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) stated that there will likely be a congressional investigation into the federal response to the deadly wildfires.

“We saw the devastation that happened in Maui,” Mr. McCarthy said. “I’m very concerned about the response. We still have hundreds of individuals that are missing. I think there’s going to have to be a congressional investigation into the response of what happens,” Mr. McCarthy said at a briefing in Syracuse, New York.

The lawmaker went on to question how we could “lose that many Americans in today’s age,” asking why the federal response was delayed: “The president’s response–had no comment–that’s unacceptable. So I am going to work with committees to look at investigating what went on so that never happens again.”

As the crisis unfurled, the White House previously stated that the president acted swiftly and remained in direct contact with the governor and other emergency officials.

“I want to once again say, as the president said last week, that he and the First Lady are praying for families who are grieving their loved ones and for everyone who has suffered devastating losses of land and property as a result of the wildfires in Maui,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Aug. 14.

“The president continues to stay closely engaged with his team and state and local officials to ensure a robust, whole-of-government response continues,” she added.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden traveled to Maui on Aug. 21, during which Biden told survivors that he “grieves” with them and promised federal help “for as long as it takes” Maui to recover from damage.

According to the White House, more than 1,000 federal officials remain on the ground to combat the wildfires, and the administration has distributed more than $8.5 million in aid to approximately 8,000 affected families, including $3.6 million in rental assistance.

The SBA did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times with comment.

Dorothy Li contributed to this report.