Lawmakers unite to seek wildfire aid

Entire congressional delegation signs letter asking for $4.4 billion more in disaster relief.

WASHINGTON — Members of California’s congressional delegation are asking their colleagues for $4.4 billion more for fire-related disaster relief.

In a letter led by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), the delegation asked the House Appropriations Committee to include the funding in legislation to provide supplemental disaster relief to areas of the country hit by recent natural disasters.

In mid-November, the White House requested $44 billion for supplemental disaster aid. The request did not include funding to rebuild after this year’s California fires, which killed 44 people and destroyed nearly 9,000 structures.

The move sparked an outcry from Thompson and fellow lawmakers, who had asked for $7.4 billion in aid. Thompson’s Napa Valley district was hit particularly hard.

“These were the worst fires in California’s history and, as a result, they left unprecedented damage in their wake,” Thompson said in a statement.

“California has outlined the funding we need for relief efforts, and it is crucial that the federal government steps up to help,” the statement continued. “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.”

Such letters are common in Congress, but it is unusual for the state’s entire 53member delegation to sign on.

“We are united as a delegation to help our neighbors recover and rebuild from these tragic fires,” House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) said in a statement.

“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,” he said.