Pallone: Trump Stiffs New Jersey Again on Disaster Aid

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today blasted President Trump for denying New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill’s appeal for $84.4 million in federal disaster aid following February’s deadly blizzard.

“Donald Trump is stiffing New Jersey taxpayers out of $84 million in disaster aid that his own government determined we qualified for. Twelve people died. New Jersey communities were buried under record snowfall. But apparently if you live in a state Trump doesn’t like, you’re on your own,” said Pallone.

“And where are the Republicans in Congress? I asked the committee chairs responsible for overseeing FEMA to investigate this weeks ago. Not one of them even bothered to respond. Trump is treating federal disaster aid like his personal political slush fund, and Republicans in Congress are too afraid to lift a finger to stop him,” Pallone continued.

In August, Pallone called on the Republican chairs of the congressional committees with jurisdiction over FEMA to investigate Trump’s initial denial of New Jersey’s disaster declaration after reports that regional FEMA and NOAA officials determined New Jersey and other affected states met federal thresholds for assistance. The Republican chairs have not responded. Governor Sherrill appealed the denial on July 20, seeking Public Assistance, including snow assistance for 19 counties, and statewide Hazard Mitigation assistance. Today the Trump Administration denied that appeal.