Rep. Cisneros Joins 42 Western Lawmakers in Bicameral Call for Increased Federal Funds to Support Comprehensive Wildfire Response and Recovery

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39), along with 34 members of the House and 9 Senators, asked House and Senate leaders to replenish and increase funding for wildfire response and recovery in any upcoming spending package, as well as pass an additional federal relief package—known as a “disaster supplemental”—as massive fires continue to rage in the West. A copy of the letter can be found here.

“First responders and firefighters are working around the clock to contain these fires and respond to the immediate needs of local communities. But states are distressingly low on funds in light of the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committees leadership. “While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal partners have mobilized to assist states, more work remains as communities begin to assess and understand the scope of damages to properties and natural resources. Congress has previously acted in the aftermath of wildfires to provide federal relief, and accordingly, we ask that you make funds available for necessary wildfire response and recovery.”

On August 24th, Rep. Cisneros and 31 California Republican and Democratic House colleagues sent a letter to the President asking him to immediately grant California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the destructive wildfires.