Newsom forwards a $40 billion LA fire aid request to Congress
The letter emerges during a period of extensive discussions in Washington regarding the potential conditions attached to the expected disaster aid for California.
TroibNews 
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Friday evening, Governor Gavin Newsom submitted a request to congressional leaders for nearly $40 billion in federal funding aimed at supporting the long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts following the catastrophic fires in Los Angeles last month.
Fueled by hurricane-force winds, the firestorms ravaged over 16,000 structures in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, marking what is predicted to be the most expensive disaster in U.S. history.
In a detailed 14-page letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Reps. Tom Cole and Rosa DeLauro of the Appropriations Committee, Newsom stated that while the state is still evaluating the overall damage alongside ongoing response and recovery operations, additional funding requirements beyond the $39.68 billion he specified are expected to be identified.
“Make no mistake, Los Angeles will use this money wisely,” Newsom wrote. “California will ensure that funds will serve individuals, communities, property owners, and businesses that suffered losses from these devastating fires.”
He further emphasized: “California has long been the tentpole of the American economy, a state whose GDP is the fifth largest on the planet and which contributes more tax receipts to the federal government than any other state — by far. California's success is America's success.”
This letter arrives during a period of extensive debate in Washington regarding whether the anticipated disaster aid for California should come with conditions. Recently, President Donald Trump, alongside congressional Republicans and presidential allies, suggested that any financial support for California ought to have stipulations.
In a show of advocacy, Newsom traveled to Washington earlier this month to directly ask Trump to avoid attaching such conditions.
In his correspondence, Newsom acknowledged that Trump and his administration “have demonstrated a strong commitment” to the recovery efforts in Los Angeles by expediting debris removal and facilitating a coordinated recovery approach. He also expressed gratitude to congressional members.
“We are eternally grateful,” Newsom wrote. “And we are confident that if we work together, Los Angeles will continue to serve as a beacon to the world and securely place the city on solid ground in the coming years as it hosts the FIFA World Cup and Olympics — and thrive for the century to come.”
Newsom broke down the proposed funding, specifying $16.8 billion for public assistance emergency work, $9.9 billion aimed at repairing houses and businesses, $5.3 billion designated for business loans, $4.32 billion for business grants, $2 billion for low-income housing tax credits, along with hundreds of millions allocated for transportation, water infrastructure, and various other programs.
California Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, both representing the Los Angeles area, voiced their support for Newsom’s funding request.
“To deny it – or place conditions on it – would be to abandon people in their time of most need. People need help. We must act urgently,” Schiff remarked.
In his last days in office, former President Joe Biden approved six months of recovery funding for the state.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
Fueled by hurricane-force winds, the firestorms ravaged over 16,000 structures in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, marking what is predicted to be the most expensive disaster in U.S. history.
In a detailed 14-page letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Reps. Tom Cole and Rosa DeLauro of the Appropriations Committee, Newsom stated that while the state is still evaluating the overall damage alongside ongoing response and recovery operations, additional funding requirements beyond the $39.68 billion he specified are expected to be identified.
“Make no mistake, Los Angeles will use this money wisely,” Newsom wrote. “California will ensure that funds will serve individuals, communities, property owners, and businesses that suffered losses from these devastating fires.”
He further emphasized: “California has long been the tentpole of the American economy, a state whose GDP is the fifth largest on the planet and which contributes more tax receipts to the federal government than any other state — by far. California's success is America's success.”
This letter arrives during a period of extensive debate in Washington regarding whether the anticipated disaster aid for California should come with conditions. Recently, President Donald Trump, alongside congressional Republicans and presidential allies, suggested that any financial support for California ought to have stipulations.
In a show of advocacy, Newsom traveled to Washington earlier this month to directly ask Trump to avoid attaching such conditions.
In his correspondence, Newsom acknowledged that Trump and his administration “have demonstrated a strong commitment” to the recovery efforts in Los Angeles by expediting debris removal and facilitating a coordinated recovery approach. He also expressed gratitude to congressional members.
“We are eternally grateful,” Newsom wrote. “And we are confident that if we work together, Los Angeles will continue to serve as a beacon to the world and securely place the city on solid ground in the coming years as it hosts the FIFA World Cup and Olympics — and thrive for the century to come.”
Newsom broke down the proposed funding, specifying $16.8 billion for public assistance emergency work, $9.9 billion aimed at repairing houses and businesses, $5.3 billion designated for business loans, $4.32 billion for business grants, $2 billion for low-income housing tax credits, along with hundreds of millions allocated for transportation, water infrastructure, and various other programs.
California Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, both representing the Los Angeles area, voiced their support for Newsom’s funding request.
“To deny it – or place conditions on it – would be to abandon people in their time of most need. People need help. We must act urgently,” Schiff remarked.
In his last days in office, former President Joe Biden approved six months of recovery funding for the state.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
