State Leaders Representing Woolsey Fire Impacted Communities: We Need Partnership, Not Politics, on Emergency Response

SACRAMENTO — Senator Henry Stern, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Assemblymember Christy Smith, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and Assemblymember Richard Bloom today issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s comments regarding FEMA emergency aid:

“It is unacceptable to use victims of the fires in California as a bargaining chip in the negotiations to get the federal government working again,” said Senator Stern and Assemblymembers Gabriel, Smith, Irwin and Bloom. “FEMA has done critically important work providing assistance to families and businesses throughout our community—  and we urge the federal government to double down on those efforts, not restrict them.”

“In California, we are stepping up to get our neighbors back on their feet and strengthen our emergency preparedness. On his first full day in office, Governor Newsom took a number of actions aimed at protecting Californians from increasingly frequent natural disasters. In September, the state legislature passed SB901 to fortify response and recovery efforts and reduce the risk of wildfires statewide.

“Beyond today’s headlines, we must remain focused on the core issue: our global climate emergency. Our communities deserve to know that we are addressing the root causes of growing natural disasters, and our children deserve to inherit a world that is safer, not more dangerous, than the one our parents gave to us. As we move forward, we urge the federal government to recognize this crisis and work alongside our state as we fight for climate justice in California and across the nation.”

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