House Sends Disaster Aid Package to the President’s Desk

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the House passed a disaster aid package to provide $19.1 billion for states affected by recent disasters. This includes areas impacted by the Carr Fire and Camp Fire in Northern California last year. The Senate previously passed the bill by a margin of 85-8.

Congressman LaMalfa worked with Senator Dianne Feinstein to include language that will allow California Governor Gavin Newsom to certify Paradise's current population as 5,000, instead of 27,000 listed before the fire. This will make the city eligible for $150 million in rural development grants that can help with recovery, including housing and wastewater projects.

LaMalfa said: "This disaster aid package has been unnecessarily delayed for months, but I'm glad to finally send this important legislation to the President's desk. People all across the country who are still reeling from recent disasters – flooding in the Midwest, massive hurricanes in the South, and wildfires in Northern California – will now get some much-needed help. Our communities in Shasta and Butte Counties have been devastated by the Carr Fire and Camp Fire, respectively, and this funding is an important stepping stone towards recovery. I thank my colleagues in the Senate from both sides of the aisle for reaching this compromise and sending it to the House. This bill also includes important language I worked on with Senator Feinstein to make Paradise eligible for additional support. This is a very positive, if overdue, development and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law."

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