This is gonna be UGLY ~ I see a primary responsibility of government to be aiding people affected by natural disasters ~ tornados/hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires don't pick-and-choose where to hit based on political leanings ~ this isn't the first time, nor will it be the last time, that those who vote against helping others in need do a 180* when they are the ones in need ~ Sooz

Three Republicans Who Opposed Sandy Relief Now Demand Disaster Aid For Arizona
By Josh Israel on August 14, 2013 at 2:33 pm

Arizona Republicans Sen. Jeff Flake, Sen. John McCain, and Rep. Paul Gosar all voted against emergency relief funding after SuperStorm Sandy ravaged much of the New Jersey and New York area earlier this year. Now, following an Arizona wildfire, the same trio is vocally complaining that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is not doing enough to aid their state.

In light of sequestration and budget tightening, FEMA has limited funding and cannot respond to every single flood, fire, and other issue that hits. Last week, the agency announced that it would not declare Yarnell, Arizona, a federal disaster area. A spokesman explained that while the agency had assisted firefighters during the deadly June blaze, “the damage to uninsured private residences from this event was not beyond the response and recovery capabilities of the state/local governments, and voluntary agencies.”

McCain and Flake, who had partnered to ask for a federal disaster declaration, issued a joint statement Monday, lamenting that it was “a shame that FEMA couldn’t find it within their mission to help rebuild their homes and lives.” A riled McCain added that in light of the 19 firefighter deaths and the 134 destroyed homes, “the damage that was done was very substantial and, I believe, qualified. So, we’re going to do everything we can to urge the president to change his mind. Including, I will be making some phone calls.”

Gosar, who had also requested an emergency designation, released a statement of his own, saying, “The people of Yarnell do not ask much from the federal government,” but that here it was “reasonable to expect FEMA to step in.”

In January, the Senate passed a long-delayed $50.5 billion Sandy relief package, but among the 36 Senators voting against the bill were Flake and McCain. McCain criticized provisions in the bill that might not be spent immediately as “questionable” and argued “we cannot justify this type of spending.”

When the House gave its approval to the supplemental spending package, Gosar was among 180 Representatives voting no. At that time, he explained, “I am more than willing to support the people and businesses impacted by Hurricane Sandy, but that would not take over $50 billion taxpayer dollars.” But Gosar even voted against a barebones $9 billion funding increase for FEMA for Sandy relief — one of just 67 members to do so.

Gosar, a climate change denier, has blamed “extreme environmental groups” for Arizona’s many wildfires.

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/08/14/2467861/three-arizona-republicans-fema-hypocrisy/

Make 'em beg and make a public apology first.