Krishnamoorthi, Bennet, Hickenlooper, Neguse, Pettersen Introduce Legislation to Let Congress Override Politically Motivated Disaster Aid Denials

WASHINGTON - Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), alongside U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Brittney Pettersen (D-CO), introduced legislation to allow Congress to override a Presidential denial of federal disaster relief funding and create a new fast-track process to ensure states are not left without support.

President Trump is denying disaster aid to Democratic-led states at an unprecedented rate-the highest in the 47-year history of the Federal Emergency Management Agency-approving just 23% of their requests compared to 89% for Republican-led states. He has also taken roughly twice as long to act on requests from Democratic states, making it significantly harder for them to receive critical relief.

"President Trump has repeatedly denied disaster aid requests, including ones affecting families in Illinois, leaving communities struggling to rebuild after severe storms and flooding," said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL). "Disaster relief should never depend on politics or arbitrary decisions. Our legislation empowers Congress to step in and help deliver the support states need when federal assistance is blocked. Families rebuilding after disasters deserve certainty that their government will stand with them when it matters most."

"Disasters don't care about state lines or politics, and neither should our President's response," said U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO). "Following the Lee and Elk Fires and the flooding in Southwest Colorado last year, every single member of the Colorado delegation was united: our communities needed federal assistance. The President outright rejected our calls for federal support. As natural disasters increase, Congress must be able to push past political retribution and help our cities and counties meet the challenge posed by these events."

"The president is putting politics over Americans in crisis. We have to fight for a way forward," said U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO). "Disaster relief should never be tied to politics. Your zip code and your vote should not decide whether you can rebuild."

"When natural disasters strike - from wildfires to flash floods - the federal government must rise to the occasion and assist our communities," said U.S. Representative Joe Neguse (D-CO). "Natural disasters don't discriminate based on state or political affiliation - and neither should the federal government."

"As wildfires become a year-round threat, Colorado communities cannot afford a federal government that turns its back on them when disaster strikes," said U.S. Representative Brittney Pettersen (D-CO). "Every community - red or blue - should have the tools needed to recover and rebuild more resilient to future threats."

Illinois leaders appealed multiple federal disaster aid denials following severe weather events that affected counties across the state, including parts of the Chicago region. Similar concerns have emerged nationwide. In Arkansas, Republican state leaders urged reconsideration after a denied request tied to deadly storms, while Colorado officials sought reversal following wildfire and flooding disasters. Federal officials also denied aid connected to severe flooding in Wisconsin. Together, these decisions have raised bipartisan concerns about consistency and fairness in federal disaster response.

"I saw firsthand the destruction these floods caused and how much more difficult recovery became without support," said the Executive Director of the Illinois Flood Relief Task Force. "Helping communities-especially those on the South and West sides of Chicago-recover from disasters should never be a political decision. It's about making sure people have the support they need to rebuild and piece their lives back together."

Under current law, governors may request federal disaster assistance after major emergencies, but Congress has limited recourse when those requests are denied. Krishnamoorthi's legislation would require the administration to provide prompt written notification to Congress following certain denials and would establish expedited procedures allowing lawmakers to authorize disaster aid through a fast-track joint resolution process. The legislation is designed to help ensure communities can access timely federal recovery resources while strengthening accountability and consistency in disaster response decisions.

Summary of the Legislation

• Creates a fast-track congressional process to authorize federal disaster assistance when requests are denied by the executive branch.

• Requires the administration to notify Congress and provide a written explanation within 24 hours after certain disaster aid denials.

• Establishes expedited House and Senate procedures to allow swift consideration of aid following major emergencies.

• Helps ensure states and communities can access federal recovery support after storms, flooding, wildfires, and other disasters.

The text of the bill is available here.