Jeffries: Congress should extend aid to California if necessary

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that lawmakers are prepared to move quickly on emergency disaster relief if necessary for California as the state battles deadly wildfires.

Jeffries told reporters that lawmakers will “evaluate requests that are made from the governor of California as well as likely from the current administration” and that Democrats are prepared “to provide any support necessary.”

Congress passed legislation last month that provided roughly $100 billion in disaster relief, including about $30 billion in funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster relief fund, as officials warned of dwindling funds in the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton. 

A spokesperson for the agency said Wednesday that FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has been in contact with California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) for updates on the wildfires and that the situation is being monitored closely. Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) have also been approved to provide support, the agency said, though concerns could already be bubbling up about further need.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) wrote on the social platform X on Wednesday that “FEMA will probably need more money” while also writing that “the FMAG grant that has been turned on will be depleted.”

The Hill has reached out to Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) office for comment on the potential need for further aid.

Two people have died so far in the fires, which have forced widespread evacuations in Southern California. 

Jeffries said Democrats are prepared “to provide any support necessary” to support firefighters and “everyday” victims “in the face of a horrific extreme weather event.”

“It's exactly why we must continue to support our first responders, our public employees, and our government agencies that need to be there in times of need for everyday Americans," he told reporters in the Capitol.

Rachel Frazin and Mike Lillis contributed.