Baldwin Blasts Trump Administration for Denying Wisconsin Disaster Aid Again, Backs Evers’ Appeal

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released a statement following the Trump Administration's decision to deny federal Public Assistance funding to help Wisconsin communities recover and build back from severe storms and flooding in April. The denial comes as President Donald Trump rejected similar disaster aid for Wisconsin in 2025 after severe flooding, fitting into the trend of Democratic-run states being refused disaster aid at a record rate. The Trump Administration has denied disaster aid for states with Democratic governors at the highest rate in the 47-year history of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Trump Administration denied Wisconsin's application for Public Assistance for Bayfield, Manitowoc, Marathon, and Racine Counties. Public Assistance funding can be used for local communities to cover the costs for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and rebuilding public infrastructure. Additionally, the Administration denied Wisconsin's application for statewide Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding to develop hazard mitigation plans and rebuild in ways that reduce future disaster losses in its communities.

"Extreme weather doesn't see party lines, and neither should our response to help communities rebuild and recover," said Senator Baldwin. "Those April storms just battered communities across Wisconsin, and the truth is, they need the tax dollars they sent to the federal government to recover and get back on their feet. Instead of working in lockstep with Wisconsin families, businesses, and local officials, the Trump Administration is leaving us out to dry in what I can only call politics at its worst. This trend of the President doling out disaster aid to the states run by his political friends, but blocking it for states who he sees as his foes, is un-American and has to stop. I fully support Governor Evers' appeal of this decision and will continue to work to get Wisconsinites what they need to rebuild and recover."

In April, communities across Wisconsin experienced heavy rainfall and severe weather, causing rivers to flood their banks and destroy homes and businesses alike. Formal preliminary damage assessments conducted by joint teams that included FEMA, WEM, and local officials validated more than $20 million in eligible disaster costs. Following the storms, Senator Baldwin called on the Trump Administration to act and support Wisconsin's request for federal resources so communities could recover.

This announcement comes as President Trump and his administration have still failed to justify their denial of federal Public Assistance to help communities respond to and recover from similar severe weather and flooding that occurred across the state in August 2025, causing nearly $27 million in damages to roads, public buildings, utilities, and community infrastructure. After the Trump Administration denied Wisconsin's request for assistance to rebuild public infrastructure, Baldwin called on her Republican colleagues to join her in supporting Governor Evers' appeal.

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