Western House Members Ask for FEMA Disaster Declaration

After record heat and wildfires devastated many portions of the west, several members of Congress have asked President Biden to declare a drought disaster. Democrats Joe Neguse of Colorado and Jared Huffman of California, whose districts have been hit hard by drought and wildfires, joined 31 other lawmakers in the House asking the president and FEMA to release additional resources to help Western areas faced with water cuts as supplies dwindle.

“There’s little to no livestock feed available in the West, farmers are considering selling their livestock or land, and many species of wildlife are suffering from wildfires and no water,” Huffman and Neguse wrote. “This drought could have long-term impacts on our food supply, wildlife, and the livelihoods of Americans across the Western U.S.”

Several northwest lawmakers signed the letter, including Oregon’s Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, and Kurt Schrader…as well as Washington’s Suzanne Bonamici, and Adam Smith

A similar request was made earlier this month by governors from 10 drought-stricken states, including Washington, Oregon and Idaho, asking the administration to declare a drought disaster that would allow “agricultural communities to get access to funds that aren’t available through existing disaster programs.” The governors pointed out in their letter that historic drought may wipe out entire crops, limit yields, and lead to extreme levels of pests and disease that could add to the disaster.

Click Here to read that letter.

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