Thompson's Federal Cost Share Language Included in Spending Bill

Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that 90/10 federal cost sharing language was included in the upcoming federal funding bill. This bipartisan language requires that the federal government cover at least 90 percent of the cost for debris removal and essential assistance for 2018 federally-declared disasters in areas where there were fires. This will assist with debris removal and recovery from the Mendocino Complex fires in Thompson's district and all other 2018 California wildfires that were federally-declared disasters, including the Paradise, Carr, and Woolsey fires. Typically, that cost share is split between the federal and state governments 75-25 percent.

"Our local governments are working around the clock to help our communities recover from last year's fires deserve every resource that the federal government can provide. That's why I am proud that my language to increase the federal cost sharing of that recovery to 90 percent was included in this spending bill," said Thompson. "I worked closely with my colleague Lucille Roybal-Allard, Chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, to ensure this bipartisan language was included. We must secure every federal dollar and resource possible to help our communities rebuild. We will continue to come back even stronger."

The Mendocino Complex Fire was the largest recorded fire complex in California history. It was a large complex of two wildfires, the River Fire and Ranch Fire, which burned in Mendocino, Lake, Colusa, and Glenn Counties, with the Ranch Fire being California's single-largest recorded wildfire. First reported on July 27, 2018, both fires burned a combined total of 459,123 acres. The fires collectively destroyed 280 structures while damaging 37 others; causing at least $267 million in damages, including $56 million in insured property damage and $201 million in fire suppression costs.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5^th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means where he chairs the Subcommittee on Tax Policy. Rep. Thompson is Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. He is also Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus and a member of the fiscally-conservative Blue Dog Coalition.