Entire California House Delegation Calls on Appropriations Committee to Deliver Further Disaster Relief to Communities Struck by Fires

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05) led every member of the California House delegation in urging the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Appropriations to include the State of California's current $4.4 billion request for additional fire-related disaster relief in upcoming supplemental disaster relief legislation.

"Today, we're calling on the leaders of the Appropriations Committee to help California communities devastated by the recent fires and grant the State of California's current $4.4 billion request for further fire-related disaster relief," said Rep. Thompson. "These were the worst fires in California's history and, as a result, they left unprecedented damage in their wake. California has outlined the funding we need for relief efforts, and it is crucial that the Federal government steps up to help. This funding is a vital first step in our long-term recovery, and I'll continue to fight to ensure we have all the resources we need to fully recover and rebuild."

"We are united as a delegation to help our neighbors recover and rebuild from these tragic fires," said Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23). "California will receive the resources we need in the supplemental package the House will pass – including legislation ensuring wildfire-specific tax relief for affected Californians, just as Congress approved for victims of the recent hurricanes."

"Congress has an urgent responsibility to the California families whose lives have been upended by the disastrous wildfires," said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-12). "We must provide these communities with the resources they need to recover, rebuild and heal during this heartbreaking time. The people of California deserve to know that Congress will be there for them not only now but throughout the long road to recovery."

"In the wake of the worst wildfire disaster we have ever seen, our communities need this federal support to rebuild," said Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02). "I'm glad to see the entire California Delegation in Congress uniting today to call on the Appropriations Committee to deliver this this overdue disaster aid to Californians. I'll keep pushing to secure the resources that my constituents need to navigate the long path to recover from this tragedy."

"The California delegation has come together in a bipartisan fashion to work with Governor Brown to provide much needed assistance to California communities affected by recent disasters," said Rep. Ken Calvert (CA-42). "I recently toured the areas affected by the devastating wildfires with Rep. Mike Thompson because I felt it was important to see the horrific impacts up close and hear from those affected. There's a tremendous effort being made by FEMA and the other agencies on the ground but we must ensure the areas affected by these disasters have the resources they need."

The House Committee on Appropriations is currently developing supplemental disaster relief legislation that would appropriate funding for ongoing relief efforts in areas recently stuck by natural disasters. The State of California has put forth a $4.4 billion request for supplemental disaster relief to begin long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts in communities affected by the fires. The State's detailed request can be found here.

The full letter to Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member Nita Lowey can be found here.