GOP rep suggests California relief aid should be withheld over state policies
Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) said he believes Congress should withhold disaster relief funds from California in the wake of Los Angeles wildfires until environmental policy changes are made by the state government.
During a Friday Fox News appearance, he said, “If they want the money, then there should be consequences where they have to change their policies.”
Davidson echoed President-elect Trump’s sentiments that state leaders failed to prepare for large scale fires that frequently impact the region. However, upwards of four fires have spiraled out of control as firefighters ran out of water and manpower to fight flames.
“I mean, we support the people that are plagued by disaster, but we have to put pressure on the California government to change course here,” Davidson stated, blaming Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom for policies that have made the fires "worse."
"Florida is prone to hurricanes so they do lots of things to mitigate the risks of hurricanes. California is prone to fires and they do things to make the fires worse," he said.
In 2019, Trump challenged the elected official’s preparedness in a tweet alleging Newsom’s mismanagement.
“The Governor of California, @GavinNewsom, has done a terrible job of forest management. I told him from the first day we met that he must 'clean' his forest floors regardless of what his bosses, the environmentalists, DEMAND of him. Must also do burns and cut fire stoppers.....,” Trump wrote.
“Every year, as the fire’s rage & California burns, it is the same thing-and then he comes to the Federal Government for $$$ help. No more. Get your act together Governor. You don’t see close to the level of burn in other states...But our teams are working well together in.....,” a subsequent post read.
Over 5 years later, the two are still debating the best approach to wildfires, which have killed at least 13 in the Los Angeles area in the past week.
President Biden has been working to brief federal agencies with information and also visited fire departments in Los Angeles county.
Newsom and other representatives are now urging Trump to do the same as he prepares to take the helm of federal government on Jan. 20 after his inauguration.