GOP Congressman Tells Flood Victims: 'At Some Point God Is Telling You To Move'

Lee Moran
Updated

A Republican congressman says the U.S. government can’t keep paying to repair homes that are repeatedly damaged by floods.

On Thursday’s broadcast of CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) claimed that the “federal government is encouraging and subsidizing people to live in harm’s way.”

After citing a $60,000 Baton Rouge property that received almost $500,000 in public money after it flooded 40 times, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee added, “At some point, God is telling you to move.”

Hensarling’s comments, which were aimed at encouraging an overhaul of what he described as the “bankrupt” National Flood Insurance Program, did not go down well on Twitter:

Check out the full segment above.

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A volunteer from Texas A&M University helps to clean up flood damage in the house of an alumnus in Houston on Sept. 2.
A volunteer from Texas A&M University helps to clean up flood damage in the house of an alumnus in Houston on Sept. 2.
Artemio Tamez and Franco Tamez sit in front of Franco's house on Sept. 2 after spending the day cleaning it out after torrential rains in the wake of Hurricane Harvey caused widespread flooding throughout the Houston area.
Artemio Tamez and Franco Tamez sit in front of Franco's house on Sept. 2 after spending the day cleaning it out after torrential rains in the wake of Hurricane Harvey caused widespread flooding throughout the Houston area.
Children pick through toys in a trash pile on Sept. 2.
Children pick through toys in a trash pile on Sept. 2.
Patrice Laporte looks to see how much water is in his house on Sept. 1.
Patrice Laporte looks to see how much water is in his house on Sept. 1.
A man disposes of drywall while salvaging through belongings from his home on Sept. 2.
A man disposes of drywall while salvaging through belongings from his home on Sept. 2.
Axa Alvarez (holding coat) and her family sort through clothes on on Sept. 2 as they clean out their house, which had been inundated with water.
Axa Alvarez (holding coat) and her family sort through clothes on on Sept. 2 as they clean out their house, which had been inundated with water.
Jay Jackson adds to the pile of trash from Harvey flood damage.
Jay Jackson adds to the pile of trash from Harvey flood damage.
A man tears out damaged parts of a home.
A man tears out damaged parts of a home.
Church volunteers work in a damaged home.
Church volunteers work in a damaged home.
Nancy McBride collects items from her flooded kitchen as she returns to her home on Sept. 1 after the record-breaking rainfall in Houston.
Nancy McBride collects items from her flooded kitchen as she returns to her home on Sept. 1 after the record-breaking rainfall in Houston.
Church volunteers work help clear out a damaged home.
Church volunteers work help clear out a damaged home.
A man adds to a pile of trash.
A man adds to a pile of trash.
Ernesto Ramirez pauses as he cleans out his house.
Ernesto Ramirez pauses as he cleans out his house.
Damaged furniture, carpets and flooring are piled at a curbside on Sept. 2.
Damaged furniture, carpets and flooring are piled at a curbside on Sept. 2.
The Sam Houston Parkway was still completely covered with Harvey floodwaters as of Sept. 1.
The Sam Houston Parkway was still completely covered with Harvey floodwaters as of Sept. 1.
Carl Ellis talks to his daughter stuck in Canada, while standing in front of her house surrounded by Harvey floodwaters on Aug. 31.
Carl Ellis talks to his daughter stuck in Canada, while standing in front of her house surrounded by Harvey floodwaters on Aug. 31.
Giant mounds of trash from flood-damaged homes line a sidewalk on Sept. 2.
Giant mounds of trash from flood-damaged homes line a sidewalk on Sept. 2.
A girl sits amid giant piles of trash on Sept. 2.
A girl sits amid giant piles of trash on Sept. 2.
Pete Schroeter surveys his flooded garage on Aug. 31 for the first time after his house was flooded.
Pete Schroeter surveys his flooded garage on Aug. 31 for the first time after his house was flooded.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.