WASHINGTON (WJTV) – U.S. Representative Michael Guest (R-Miss.) spoke to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about FEMA disaster relief in Mississippi.

Parts of the state were affected by a tornado outbreak in March, and many residents are still waiting on federal assistance.

Governor Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) requested a Major Disaster Declaration from President Donald Trump for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance from the March 14-15 tornado outbreak.

This week, Guest told Noem, “Our governor and MEMA quickly requested disaster assistance, but at this point the review of that process is still pending, and I understand that, that takes time, and I don’t want to rush anything, but I would ask you, if you could make sure that you could do everything to expedite that request. It is impacting my local jurisdictions with debris cleanup. It is impacting people as they seek to recover, so I would just ask that you personally see if anything could be done to expedite that request.”

Noem replied, “Yes, I will certainly get back to you and follow up with that.  I’m not sure if that decision is still with us or at the White House, but I will – I will follow up with you. And I want to thank you for talking about the fact that you’re sitting there waiting for the federal government to respond. President Trump’s heart is with the American people and recognizes they don’t deserve that.”