In the wake of mounting criticism over the government’s handling of the Maui fires, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy expressed intentions to initiate a congressional investigation.

Addressing reporters after an event in Syracuse, New York, McCarthy stressed the need for an inquiry, particularly in light of the significant loss of life and the concerns surrounding federal and state responses to the crisis.

“With disasters unfolding across the nation, the devastation in Maui stands out. The response, or lack thereof, is a cause for deep concern,” McCarthy stated.

“With hundreds still missing and the death toll reaching at least 115, the pressing question is: How could such a tragedy occur in our modern era?” McCarthy asked.

“The federal response appears tardy, and President Biden’s lack of comment on the matter is deeply unsettling. To ensure that such a tragedy doesn’t recur, I am committed to collaborating with the relevant committees to probe into the events in Maui,” he said.

President Joe Biden, who has faced extensive scrutiny for his response to the tragedy, paused his vacation in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, to visit Lahaina—the epicenter of the devastation. While there, he delivered remarks, though critics argue it was a belated move and his remarks, as usual, touched off a firestorm of controversy.

RELATED: Devastated Hawaiians Have Bad News for Biden – His Visit Did More Harm Than Good

Further concerns arose on the state level. Reports spotlighted the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, which allegedly delayed water diversion approvals that could have been pivotal for firefighting efforts.

Alarmingly, Lahaina’s fire hydrants reportedly ran dry during the crisis. In a notable development, a Maui official, lacking previous disaster management experience, defended the decision not to activate emergency sirens and subsequently resigned from his position.

Environmental mismanagement also seems to have played a role. The state purportedly failed to adequately manage the invasive grass overgrowth that increased fire risk.

Not only that, but Hawaiian Electric, the state’s utility company implicated in starting the fire due to a downed power line, appears to have prioritized green energy initiatives over robust wildfire readiness in the preceding years.

Moreover, state officials are said to have restricted access by blocking Lahaina’s primary paved roadway.

As of now, specifics regarding which committee or committees McCarthy will liaise with remain undetermined, as does the proposed timeline for the investigation.

When approached for a comment by the Daily Caller, the White House remained silent on the matter.

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