California Disaster Relief Should Not Come with Strings Attached

LOS ANGELES, CA — According to published media reports, the Trump administration is considering the unprecedented move of putting political and policy strings on federal aid in response to the devastating Los Angeles fires. Historically, federal disaster funds have been delivered unconditionally, but the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are threatening to demand concessions from the state of California for supplemental relief, in stark contrast to the national response to Hurricane Helene and recent flooding emergencies.

Following is reaction from Victoria Rome, director of California government relations for NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

“The devastating fires in Los Angeles have left people in urgent need—just like victims of other natural disasters in places like Kentucky, Florida, and North Carolina. The federal government must be even-handed and supportive in its response, regardless of where impacted people live.

“Never in our nation’s history has the federal government held back needed assistance to extract political concessions. If the Trump administration tries to go down this path, citizens in every state need to pay close attention or find themselves caught in political games during the next disaster.

“California’s representatives should work to deliver disaster aid immediately, with no strings attached. The California Coastal Commission has an extraordinary record of success in protection of our coast—and ensures that all of us can enjoy it. The notion that urgently needed disaster relief to the tens of thousands of victims of the Los Angeles fires can be conditioned for political reasons on disabling this essential body is not just inhumane but also threatens the state’s rights to govern itself.”

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).