Rep. Anna Paulina Luna has frequently voted against continuing resolutions and budget bills that included FEMA disaster relief funding, favoring instead standalone disaster relief legislation for her district following major hurricanes (Washington Post, Tampa Bay Times).
Luna has introduced and co-sponsored several bills to bolster disaster funding---including a $15 billion bipartisan proposal for hurricane and flood relief---and has pushed for FEMA reforms such as monthly flood insurance payment options and a pause on flood payment collections until new structures are implemented (Tampa Bay Times, Fox News interview).
She has strongly advocated for restricting FEMA aid for undocumented immigrants, publicly supporting and proposing legislative efforts to end such funding (Fox News interview).
Luna has worked with federal and state officials---including FEMA, the governor's office, and the White House---both to secure hurricane disaster relief and to address operational issues, such as requesting waivers on FEMA's 50% rule, and to press for faster beach renourishment and debris removal (NBC - 8 WFLA, Tampa Bay Times).
Some vulnerabilities and criticisms have emerged regarding Luna's record, including repeated votes against FEMA funding amid disasters, initial support and subsequent withdrawal from bipartisan relief packages, and constituent concerns over the adequacy and timeliness of federal disaster aid in her district (NBC - 8 WFLA, Tampa Bay Times).
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Voted Against Extending FEMA Funding Before Hurricanes According to Washington Post, Luna "voted against a measure to extend FEMA funding right before two hurricanes hit her district." [Washington Post, 11/1/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Announced Introduction and Co-Sponsorship of Legislation Ending FEMA Funding for Undocumented Immigrants In an interview with Fox News, Anna Paulina Luna said, "I've introduced and co-sponsored legislation to end that funding immediately." [Interview - Anna Paulina Luna with Fox News, 10/9/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Highlighted $15 Billion in Bipartisan Disaster Relief Funding for Americans Impacted by Hurricanes and Flooding In an interview with Fox News, Anna Paulina Luna said, "We do have funding, and I want to assure the American people that we do have funding, introduced funding that's bipartisan. It's 15 billion that will go directly to Americans who have been impacted by the flooding and the hurricanes." [Interview - Anna Paulina Luna with Fox News, 10/9/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Stated She Was In Talks With FEMA, Governor, and White House Regarding Hurricane Relief In an interview with FOX News, Anna Paulina Luna said, "I want everyone to know that I've actually been in talks with not just FEMA and the governor's office, but also the White House. And we are going to ensure that money goes to Americans, not illegals." [Interview - Anna Paulina Luna with FOX News, 10/9/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Claimed To Have Introduced and Co-Sponsored Legislation To End Disaster Relief Funding For Undocumented Immigrants In an interview with FOX News, Anna Paulina Luna said, "I've introduced and co-sponsored legislation to end that funding immediately." [Interview - Anna Paulina Luna with FOX News, 10/9/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Announced Introduction Of $15 Billion Bipartisan Disaster Relief Funding For Americans Impacted By Flooding And Hurricanes In an interview with FOX News, Anna Paulina Luna said, "we do have funding, and I want to assure the American people that we do have funding, introduced funding that's bipartisan. It's 15 billion that will go directly to Americans who have been impacted by the flooding and the hurricanes." [Interview - Anna Paulina Luna with FOX News, 10/9/24]
October 2024: Luna Expressed Confidence SBA Disaster Funding Bill Would Succeed According to NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, "While some may be skeptical about the legislation moving forward, Luna shared that she has confidence the bill will move forward. 'I actually talked to Joe Biden, and he understands that Americans need help right now. So I don't see him blocking this,' Luna said." [NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, 10/30/24]
October 2024: Luna Expressed Support For Scott's Efforts To Replenish SBA Disaster Loans According to NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, "Al menos el senador (Rick) Scott está tomando la iniciativa de realmente llevar los $500 millones a las pequeñas empresas." [NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, 10/31/24]
October 2024: Luna Reported Discussion With President Biden On Disaster Aid Legislation According to NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, "Hablé con Joe Biden y él entiende que los estadounidenses necesitan ayuda en este momento, así que no creo que vaya a bloquear esto", dijo Luna. [NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, 10/31/24]
November 2024: Luna's Record Of Voting Against FEMA Funding Was Criticized According to NBC - 8 WFLA, 'Fox is also challenging Rep. Luna's voting record when it comes to FEMA funding. "She has repeatedly voted against funding, for things like FEMA disaster relief. Things that our constituents desperately need," Fox said. Before Congress recessed, Rep. Luna voted against the spending plan that funded several federal programs into December and it included billions for disaster relief. "That bill had massive funding for all the things that we promised we were not going to do," Luna said.' [NBC - 8 WFLA, 11/1/24]
December 2024: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Initially Supported Bipartisan Budget For Disaster Relief According to Tampa Bay Times, "Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Pinellas County Republican who often votes against short-term budget bills, posted to X that the budget bill was a 's--t sandwich.' But she signaled her support. 'My constituents need the emergency relief funding,' Luna wrote." [Tampa Bay Times, 12/19/24]
December 2024: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Withdrew Support For Bipartisan Budget After Hearing From Constituents According to Tampa Bay Times, "Then, later Wednesday, Luna changed course. She said she'd heard from constituents, and she could no longer support the measure." [Tampa Bay Times, 12/19/24]
December 2024: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Supported Standalone Disaster Relief Measure According to Tampa Bay Times, "Some members, like Luna and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan have said they support a standalone disaster relief measure." [Tampa Bay Times, 12/19/24]
December 2024: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Opposed Disaster Relief In Continuing Resolution According to NBC - 8 WFLA, "Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, whose district covers most of Pinellas County, posted on X that she did not support the first continuing resolution proposed Wednesday that contained billions of dollars in disaster aid. She wants a separate bill." [NBC - 8 WFLA, 12/20/24]
Anna Paulina Luna Opposed 2024 Disaster Aid In Continuing Resolution According to NBC - 8 WFLA, "La representante Anna Paulina Luna, cuyo distrito cubre la mayor parte del condado Pinellas, publicó en X que no apoyaba la primera resolución continua propuesta el miércoles que contenía miles de millones de dólares en ayuda para desastres. Ella quiere un proyecto de ley separado." [NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles (Florida), 12/20/24]
January 2025: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Sought FEMA Waiver For 50% Rule According to NBC - 8 WFLA, "U.S. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna is fighting for FEMA to waive its 50% rule. Rep. Luna shared this plan first with News Channel 8, along with her plans to get the president involved." [NBC - 8 WFLA, 1/30/25]
January 2025: Rep. Luna Characterized FEMA Rule As Forcing Residents Out According to NBC - 8 WFLA, "'I've requested and we are actively working this, trying to get FEMA to waive the 50% rule,' Rep. Luna explained. 'It's forcing out a lot of residents.'" [NBC - 8 WFLA, 1/30/25]
January 2025: Rep. Luna Asserted Residents Were Forced To Sell Homes At Loss According to NBC - 8 WFLA, "'They can't recover,' she continued. 'They've been forced to sell their homes for pennies on the dollar and it's simply unacceptable.'" [NBC - 8 WFLA, 1/30/25]
January 2025: Rep. Luna Sought President Trump's Assistance With FEMA Rule According to NBC - 8 WFLA, "Now, she's hoping President Donald Trump can help. 'What we're hoping for is not only that President Trump can really overhaul FEMA top down, because we saw in some of our investigations that FEMA was actively discriminating against individuals, but also too, maybe they'll make an exception and waive this 50% rule so that we can ensure that Pinellas residents are able to stay in their homes,' she explained." [NBC - 8 WFLA, 1/30/25]
January 2025: Rep. Luna Anticipated FEMA Announcement In March 2025 According to NBC - 8 WFLA, "'First week in March is when [FEMA] should actually be down here,' she said. 'Hopefully, I'm fingers crossed, that they'll be making the announcement that they're going to be waiving the 50% rule.'" [NBC - 8 WFLA, 1/30/25]
July 2023: Luna's House Resolution 4686 Would Bar FEMA From Collecting Payments Until New Structure Implemented According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna's bill, House Resolution 4686, which is being co-sponsored by 10 additional Florida representatives, would bar FEMA from collecting flood insurance payments until it implement the new payment structure. Policyholders would still be covered during this period." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/18/23]
Anna Paulina Luna Questioned Federal Assistance To Florida And Southeastern States After Hurricane Helene In 2024 According to Islander News, "Whether there was enough federal assistance going to Florida and the other southeastern states harrowed by Helene almost two weeks ago has been questioned by Republicans like Donald Trump and Pinellas County U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna over the past week." [Islander News, 10/8/24]
October 2024: Anna Paulina Luna Voted Against A Funding Resolution That Included Additional Funds For FEMA According to Islander News, "Castor noted that before Congress adjourned two weeks ago, members voted on a continuing resolution that included additional funding for FEMA. However, a number of Florida House Republicans whose districts are in the path of Milton voted against that 'CR', including Luna, Laurel Lee, Cory Mills, Gus Bilirakis, Daniel Webster, and Bill Posey." [Islander News, 10/8/24]
October 2024: Anna Paulina Luna Co-Sponsored Legislation For Additional Disaster Relief Funding According to Islander News, "Luna announced last week that she was co-sponsoring legislation filed by South Florida Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz that would provide an additional $15 billion in disaster relief for Hurricane Helene." [Islander News, 10/8/24]
November 2024: Luna Co-Sponsored New FEMA Funding Legislation According to NBC - 8 WFLA, 'Days later, the congresswoman proposed her own plan to replenish funds. "We've co-sponsored legislation to introduce an additional $15 billion in FEMA funding," Luna said.' [NBC - 8 WFLA, 11/1/24]
July 2023: U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Introduced Bill Requiring FEMA To Offer Monthly Flood Insurance Payment Option According to Tampa Bay Times, "U.S. Rep Anna Paulina Luna introduced a bill Monday requiring the Federal Emergency Management Agency to offer people an option to pay their flood insurance premiums monthly, rather than in a larger lump sum once a year." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/18/23]
July 2023: Luna Cited Financial Hardships As Reason For Flood Insurance Payment Reform According to Tampa Bay Times, 'Most families in Florida who are already struggling to keep up with inflation can't afford to have their savings accounts wiped out by an astronomical insurance premium, with no option to pay in manageable amounts over the course of a year,' Luna said in a statement. 'It's just common sense to allow families to space out their flood insurance payments - and this bill would force FEMA to follow the law.' [Tampa Bay Times, 7/18/23]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Said She Coordinated With FEMA, Governor's Office, and White House On Hurricane Response In an interview with Fox News, Anna Paulina Luna said, "I've actually been in talks with not just FEMA and the governor's office, but also the White House. And we are going to ensure that money goes to Americans, not illegals. The fact that that happened is unacceptable." [Interview - Anna Paulina Luna with Fox News, 10/9/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Expressed Support for Governor DeSantis' Hurricane Response In an interview with Fox News, Anna Paulina Luna said, "If there's one person that will handle the job, it's Governor DeSantis, and I look forward to working with him to ensure that our residents are taken care of." [Interview - Anna Paulina Luna with Fox News, 10/9/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Promoted Universal Post-Storm Assistance Regardless of Party Affiliation In an interview with Fox News, Anna Paulina Luna said, "Locally in Tampa Bay, whether you are Democrat or Republican or independent, we are working together to ensure our people are going to be taken care of." [Interview - Anna Paulina Luna with Fox News, 10/9/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Emphasized Bipartisan Local Hurricane Relief Efforts In Tampa Bay In an interview with FOX News, Anna Paulina Luna said, "locally in Tampa Bay, whether you are Democrat or Republican or independent, we are working together to ensure our people are going to be taken care of." [Interview - Anna Paulina Luna with FOX News, 10/9/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Expressed Support For Governor DeSantis' Hurricane Management In an interview with FOX News, Anna Paulina Luna said, "if there's one person that will handle the job, it's Governor DeSantis, and I look forward to working with him to ensure that our residents are taken care of." [Interview - Anna Paulina Luna with FOX News, 10/9/24]
October 2024: Luna Met With Biden In Pinellas County To Discuss Hurricane Milton Response According to Tampa Bay Times, "U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna will be meeting President Joe Biden as he tours damage in Pinellas County. Luna said Sunday that she had 'a very good call' with Biden a few days ago by phone." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/13/24]
Luna Noted Congressional Offices Can Reopen Denied FEMA Claims As Of October 2024 According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna also said any congressional office is able to reopen a FEMA claim and advocate for a resident if their claim is denied. She encouraged those who experience that to reach out." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/13/24]
Luna Emphasized Bipartisan Focus During Hurricane Relief Efforts In October 2024 According to Tampa Bay Times, '"I'm pretty conservative, but right now, we're focusing on helping people, and that's bipartisan," she said.' [Tampa Bay Times, 10/13/24]
October 2024: Luna Met With Pinellas County Business Owners To Discuss SBA Disaster Relief Steps According to NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, "Luna shared that she has a meeting recently with business owners in Pinellas County to discuss the next steps. 'Even though SBA is out of money for now, you can still apply. Then as soon as it's replenished once when we return, which I actually spoke to Mike Johnson about this, and we will hopefully be voting on that soon, so you will then be able to get the assistance that you need,' said Rep. Luna." [NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, 10/30/24]
October 2024: Luna Held Meeting With Pinellas Business Owners On Disaster Aid Next Steps According to NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, "Luna compartió que tuvo una reunión recientemente con dueños de negocios en el condado de Pinellas para discutir los próximos pasos." [NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, 10/31/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Reported FEMA Denials Were Widespread In Her District After Hurricane Helene In an interview with Fox News, Anna Paulina Luna said, "One of my districts was actually one of the hardest hit districts. We've had 13 people die. A majority of my constituents had their claims denied with FEMA." [Interview - Anna Paulina Luna with Fox News, 11/12/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Claimed FEMA Denied Majority Of Claims In Her District After Hurricane Helene In an interview with Fox News, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said, "To put in perspective, Laura, one of my districts was actually one of the hardest hit districts. We've had 13 people die. A majority of my constituents had their claims denied with FEMA." [Interview - Rep. Anna Paulina Luna with Fox News, 11/12/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Stated "FEMA Has Been Very Helpful" During Hurricane Disaster In a speech, Rep. Jamie Raskin referred to a statement by Congresswoman Luna: "And our Florida colleague, Congresswoman Luna said, 'As I'm seeing, FEMA has been very helpful and I've been in direct communication with them. And they're absolutely going to assist because President Biden has told them to do so.'" [Speech by Rep. Jamie Raskin - House Oversight and Accountability Committee Hearing on FEMA, 11/19/24]
January 2025: Anna Paulina Luna Encouraged Residents To Hold Local Officials Accountable For Permitting Delays According to NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, "Luna adds, while her team is happy to help direct concerned residents, it's up to the county to act. 'That is your home, you can get the permits through the city, and if they are not doing their jobs, make your voices heard,' said U.S. Rep. Luna." [NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, 1/10/25]
August 2023: Luna Highlighted Risks Of Inaction Ahead Of Hurricane Season According to Tampa Bay Times, 'We are living with washed out beaches as we approach the most dangerous time of hurricane season,' she wrote. [Tampa Bay Times, 8/7/23]
August 2023: Luna Warned Of Threats To Homes If Army Corps Did Not Act According to Tampa Bay Times, 'If Army Corps does nothing, our beaches will dissipate, and our homes will be susceptible to destruction,' Luna wrote in the letter. [Tampa Bay Times, 8/7/23]
October 2024: Luna Advised Business Owners To Continue SBA Applications Despite Fund Depletion According to NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, "Aunque la SBA se ha quedado sin dinero por ahora, todavía puede presentar su solicitud. Luego, tan pronto como se reponga el dinero, cuando regresemos, de lo que hablé con Mike Johnson (R-LA), y esperamos poder votar sobre eso pronto, para que pueda obtener la ayuda que necesita", dijo el representante Luna. [NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, 10/31/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Demanded FEMA Investigation Into Alleged Relief Discrimination After Hurricane Helene In an interview with Fox News, Anna Paulina Luna said, "I actually personally wrote Criswell a letter demanding answers as well as Chairman Comer is, asking her to come in and testify. I expect a full investigation, and I want to see emails because I don't think that this is just an isolated incident." [Interview - Anna Paulina Luna with Fox News, 11/12/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Asserted FEMA Employee Instructed Workers To Ignore Trump Supporters In an interview with Fox News, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said, "this woman went as far as directing in person some of these people that were doing the claims to just ignore them, and that's simply unacceptable." [Interview - Rep. Anna Paulina Luna with Fox News, 11/12/24]
January 2025: Anna Paulina Luna Clarified Cities' Responsibility For Permitting After Hurricane Helene According to NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, "'I had my office putting out information directly from FEMA. The cities can authorize permitting, do not let them tell you it is up to FEMA, do not let them tell you it is up to the state. It is literally up to the cities,' said U.S. Representative Anna Paulina-Luna." [NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, 1/10/25]
Luna Informed Biden Of Pinellas' Debris Removal Needs And FEMA Issues In October 2024 According to Tampa Bay Times, "He wanted to see what specifically Pinellas County needed as a whole, and so I was able to talk to him about the debris removal issue that we were having with FEMA," she said. "And to his credit, and I know I've been super critical of him in the past, but he did absolutely get on that immediately, and I was on the call with the FEMA administrator within 24 hours of that." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/13/24]
Luna Described Biden As Supportive Of A Possible Congressional Special Session For Hurricane Relief In October 2024 According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna said Biden also seemed supportive about potentially calling Congress back to a special session. She said damage estimates are still being assessed but thinks it could be upward of $100 billion." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/13/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Referenced Biden's Assurances Of Federal FEMA Support According to NBC - 8 WFLA, 'When I met with Joe Biden, he said that the entire federal government was at our disposal for FEMA relief, but then obviously we saw this happen,' said Rep. Luna. [NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles (Florida), 11/16/24]
December 2024: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Promised Disaster Aid Would Be Provided Via Separate Legislation According to NBC - 8 WFLA, "'I just want to assure you that we will be getting the funding for FEMA. We will be getting the funding for Pinellas County beach renourishment, and also SBA, but it's going to be coming in a different bill,' Luna said." [NBC - 8 WFLA, 12/20/24]
Anna Paulina Luna Assured Pinellas County Disaster Funds Would Come In Separate Bill In 2024 According to NBC - 8 WFLA, '"Sólo quiero asegurarles que vamos a recibir los fondos para FEMA. Vamos a recibir los fondos para la renovación de la playa del condado Pinellas y también para la SBA (Agencia Federal de Pequeños Negocios de Estados Unidos), pero van a venir en un proyecto de ley diferente", dijo Luna.' [NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles (Florida), 12/20/24]
2024: Anna Paulina Luna Criticized Federal Disaster Fund Allocation In an interview with Fox News, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said, "I was one of the impacted communities here in Pinellas County. We had 13 people die. And when the American people -- and when Pinellas County residents found out that our own FEMA dollars weren't just going, you know, to illegal immigrants, but then they're finding out that this administration wanted to even just recently pass in the CR funding to go to Egypt, to Ukraine and every other country but America. [...] It's insulting as an American that we pay so much in taxes, and this is what they're choosing to do with it." [Interview - Rep. Anna Paulina Luna with Fox News, 12/27/24]
April 2025: Luna Sought FEMA 50% Rule Waiver For Pinellas County According to NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, "Right now, our top priorities for Pinellas County are ensuring that we get the 50% rule waived with FEMA," Luna said. [NBC - 8 WFLA: Web Edition Articles, 4/10/25]
August 2023: Luna Pressed Army Corps For Accelerated Beach Renourishment In Pinellas County According to Tampa Bay Times, "U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is again pushing the Army Corps of Engineers for faster action on beach renourishment in Pinellas County, according to a letter she sent Friday and obtained exclusively by the Tampa Bay Times." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/7/23]
August 2023: Luna Urged Army Corps To Grant Easement Exceptions For Sand Key Project According to Tampa Bay Times, "Last week's letter from Luna asked the Corps to grant exceptions to the perpetual easements requirement." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/7/23]
April 2023: Luna And Officials Questioned Army Corps Over Easement Requirement And Environmental Concerns According to Tampa Bay Times, "In April, Luna and nine other local elected officials wrote a letter to the Corps asking 13 questions, ranging from why the federal department is requiring the easements to what they will do about endangered species threatened by beach erosion if the Sand Key project doesn't move forward." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/7/23]