“Are These Families Not American?”: Rep. Carbajal Blasts Calls for Conditioning California Disaster Aid

Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) called out House Republicans for repeatedly suggesting this week their interest in obstructing delivery of vital federal disaster aid to Southern California.

The Congressman's full remarks can be viewed here.

"Are these families not Americans?," Rep. Carbajal said. "What makes these families different from families we have helped after hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods? To suggest that we should hold hostage the aid we give American families-families who have lost everything-is wrong and unamerican."

Congressman Carbajal highlighted a recent report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace that found that families in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas received the most federal disaster aid over the past decade - relief that was provided without political conditions or policy riders.

Congressman Carbajal represents Santa Barbara County and portions of Ventura County, areas that have seen severe wind and red flag warnings over the past week. He also represents many of the California firefighters who have been deployed to Los Angeles County to help fight multiple deadly fires across the region.

During Congressman Carbajal's first term in Congress, the Thomas Fire destroyed hundreds of structures across the Central Coast and forced the evacuate of more than 100,000 Californians. The fire, at the time the largest in California history, cleared hillsides of all vegetation - creating the conditions for the deadly debris flows in early 2018 that killed more than 20 people in Santa Barara County.

The Congressman's full remarks as prepared for delivery can be found below:

"Mister Speaker, I rise today to say-Los Angeles, we are with you.

Our hearts are with every single family who has lost a loved one, a livelihood, or some part of their community. We also give thanks to the heroic first responders working to contain these fires and help those in need.

But I also rise to ask, Mister Speaker - are these families not Americans?

What makes these families different from families we have helped after hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods?

To suggest that we should hold hostage the aid we give American families-families who have lost everything-is wrong and unamerican.

Just look at what has been approved over the past decade, especially for so-called red states, I might add.

Have we ever said that those families should be punished for their state's political choices? Absolutely not.

I am appalled and frankly sickened at calls for conditioning aid these American families. They are crying out for help. Congress should respond, without hesitation or delay."