Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair, issued the following statement on the Trump administration blocking billions of dollars in disaster relief owed to victims and communities struck by disasters for unacceptable, political reasons.
“When hurricanes or floods or fires destroy Americans’ homes and bring life to a screeching halt for entire communities, the federal government has a serious responsibility to help ensure families have somewhere to stay and communities can not only recover, but rebuild. Every day that promised relief is held up takes a real toll on communities just looking to get back on their feet. No one on the frontlines helping survivors rebuild their lives should be forced to take on new debt, lay off staff, and even halt their urgent work altogether because Trump and Musk have decided to choke off disaster aid. But that is exactly what is happening right now.
“Blocking relief for disaster victims in order to scrutinize whether potential recipients of that aid align with any administration’s political views is reprehensible—and it is hurting real people in red states and blue states and everywhere in between. There should be no politics involved in helping Americans devastated by disaster. This disaster relief funding isn’t a piggy bank for Elon Musk—President Trump needs to get these taxpayer dollars to the communities that need them immediately.”
The Trump administration is blocking $10 billion in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund Public Assistance for communities struck by disasters to respond and recover. This includes:
- $8.5 billion for disaster relief efforts provided to non-governmental organizations performing essential community services for emergency work to ensure public safety and for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of an eligible facility damaged or destroyed by a major disaster.
- $1.3 billion for short-term, emergency shelter for disaster survivors. This funding goes to state, local, Tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments to cover costs associated with providing emergency shelter for survivors of disasters across the country.
- Nationwide, there are currently thousands of Public Assistance disaster awards being held up and under review by the Trump administration.
As the Trump administration blocks disaster relief for Americans, it is also weighing plans to eliminate FEMA altogether.
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