A Republican senator has lashed out at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for introducing what he says is an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy that is slowing down the release of hurricane relief funds to his state.

North Carolina’s Ted Budd has vowed to vote against all future DHS nominees unless the issue is resolved. At the center of the dispute is a policy from Noem—dubbed “ICE Barbie” for her love of cosplaying photo shoots—who requires her personal approval for any Federal Emergency Management Agency contract or grant exceeding $100,000.

Budd, whose state was devastated by Hurricane Helene in September 2024, said in a statement that he is “deeply concerned” by the slow approval and distribution of funding as North Carolina works to recover from the natural disaster.

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