Democratic lawmakers from states ravaged by recent hurricanes are homing in on a new target as they seek to crack down on disaster-related misinformation.
In a letter Wednesday led by Rep. Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), a group of seven House Democrats from North Carolina, Georgia and Florida are urging congressional leaders to hold hearings on the role social media companies are playing in amplifying post-disaster scams, lies and conspiracy theories.
The call for congressional investigations — addressed to the chair and ranking member of the House Judiciary, Oversight and Accountability, and Energy and Commerce committees — marks the most significant escalation yet by members of Congress seeking greater accountability for rampant disaster misinformation.
Conspiracy theories about the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to hurricanes Helene and Milton — some of it spread online by former President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans — continue to hinder recovery efforts weeks after the storms.
