WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Patty Murray is sounding off as the Trump administration denied the State of Washington a Major Disaster Declaration to unlock FEMA assistance in recovery from a bomb cyclone that hit Washington state in November 2024.
“It is outrageous that President Trump is denying Washington state’s request for a federal disaster declaration, supported by our entire bipartisan Congressional delegation, for one of the most destructive storms in our state’s recent history,” Senator Murray said, “This is exactly the kind of catastrophic event federal disaster aid was designed for. County governments cannot be reasonably expected to shoulder $34 million dollars in damages from the bomb cyclone that caused tremendous damage to public infrastructure and left hundreds of thousands of people without power.
The letter sent from FRMA reads;
After a thorough review of all information contained in the initial request and appeal, we reaffirmed the determination that supplemental federal assistance under the Stafford Act is not warranted. Therefore, I must inform you that your appeal for a major disaster declaration is denied.
“Make no mistake, what we are seeing under Trump is an unprecedented and dangerous politicization of disaster assistance that cannot continue. Storms and disasters don’t discriminate between red and blue communities and neither should our President.” Senator Murray said, “There is simply no justification for this betrayal that leaves local communities and residents of Washington state shouldering painful disaster recovery costs when the federal government was supposed to have their backs.
Last month Washington states congressional delegation, which includes Republicans, sent a letter to the president asking him to reconsider.
“Every Member of Congress should be extraordinarily alarmed by this administration’s insistence on playing politics with disaster aid, no matter the consequences for our constituents. Do Republicans want a future Democratic President denying their constituents disaster aid over politics,” Senator Murray said.
Nonstop Local KHQ has sent a statement request to Congressman Michael Bumgardner’s office as he signed the letter.
This would not be the first time the state of Washington has been denied a major disaster declaration, in 2020 the Babb Road Fire destroyed homes in the thousands of dollars worth of damage to the community of Malden, it was widely reported that –
“The holdup now is the relationship between the president and Gov. Inslee,” said the [Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers] Spokane Republican’s aide, who requested anonymity to speak candidly.
Recently, Senator Cantwell in partnership with the now former Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers introduced the “Malden Act,” which would’ve prevented FEMA funding hiccups and delays.
