The members of California congressional delegation are seeking additional funding to help the state’s wildfire relief and recovery efforts.
On Friday, Democratic Congressman Mike Thompson led the California congressional delegation in encouraging the House Appropriations Committee to approve the state’s request for additional fire-related disaster relief.
In a letter to the Committee, the delegation expressed strong support for California’s current request for $4.4 billion in wildfire relief funds.
The California lawmakers implored the Committee to include the state’s request in the supplemental disaster relief legislation. They also asked the inclusion of targeted tax relief for wildfire survivors in the bill.
In October, California suffered multiple wildfires that burnt at least 245,000 acres, destroyed 8,900 structures. The wildfires took the lives of 43 people.
California needs the wildfire relief funds for long-term recovery
In a statement, Cong. Thompson emphasized that the recent wildfires were the worst in the history of California. According to him, “It is crucial that the Federal government steps up to help. This funding is a vital first step in our long-term recovery.”
