John
The Los Angeles wildfires have wreaked havoc, claiming lives, destroying homes, schools, churches, and entire neighborhoods, and displacing over 200,000 people. The road to recovery demands urgent federal assistance -- but some members of Congress are slow-walking their response. As families fight to survive and rebuild, Republicans hold up disaster relief, using the national crisis as leverage for unrelated political goals.
Despite the overwhelming need, some Republican lawmakers are suggesting unconscionable delays of up to two months for disaster relief. Worse, some have echoed Donald Trump’s heartless and false claims that climate change has no role in the fires, instead blaming California itself. This cruel stance comes at a time when Californians are in dire need.
Political posturing should never block disaster relief. Californians deserve the same swift support as any other Americans facing crisis. Federal assistance is vital for rebuilding homes, helping displaced families, and providing communities with the resources to recover. It's time to demand a clean disaster relief bill for the Los Angeles wildfires.
Tell Congress: Don’t stand by while delays and misinformation prevent aid. Do what’s right for the people of California and ensure immediate relief for the Los Angeles wildfires!
Tragically, this is not the first time we've seen this pattern. After Hurricane Sandy, the largest hurricane on record, Republicans delayed disaster relief to New York, New Jersey, and other Eastern seaboard states, demanding unrelated budget cuts in exchange for aid. After Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, Republicans insisted on restructuring the island's debt before approving funding. Puerto Rico’s 3.4 million U.S. citizens went without electricity for 181 days, and seven years later, the infrastructure is still in need of repair.
Now, as California faces an unprecedented crisis, we’re seeing history repeat itself. While Democrats have consistently pushed for clean, unconditional aid for states suffering from natural disasters -- whether red or blue -- Republicans continue to spread falsehoods to justify inaction.
When disasters hit red states, like Florida’s hurricanes or Texas’s tornadoes, Congress moves quickly to provide relief. But when a blue state like California is in crisis, Republicans stall, mislead the public, and avoid taking action. They continue to blame California for the fires, even though high winds and drought caused by climate change were the true causes
Demand immediate action from Congress. Californians are in urgent need—there’s no time to delay.
Thank you for urging Congress to act now to address the pressing needs of California’s wildfire victims.
- DFA AF Team
