Editor, Gazette-Journal: The death toll from Hurricane Helene now stands at over 200—400 by one report—with hundreds missing. Thousands have lost their homes, businesses, and everything they owned. For many in need, the supposedly “prepared” FEMA has been MIA. Much of the search and rescue is being carried out by nonprofit organizations. Estimates of the cost of recovery vary widely—$34 to $200 billion. Until Congress passed a “stopgap” funding bill on Sept. 25 to avert a government shutdown, FEMA was running on empty. At this time, FEMA received $20 billion, but more monies will soon be required. Congress is in recess until Nov. 12, but could be recalled. This untenable situation need not have occurred with proper planning and funding to put aid to American citizens first. Conservative estimates from the Federation for Immigration Reform report Americans pay $150.7 billion yearly for illegal immigration. FEMA has spent $1.4 billion in the last two years for housing and other services ...