Congress may not consider new aid for California to deal with its devastating spate of wildfires until mid-March, when Capitol Hill faces its next government funding deadline.
Lawmakers see March 14 — the spending deadline — as the next chance to address any emergencies that may need congressional cash, including the blazes sweeping through Los Angeles County. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said they’d address it in that negotiation, not in an upcoming budget reconciliation bill.
“You’ve got to wait until the disaster is over. It’s clearly not yet, and you’ve got to give them time to do the estimate,” said House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.)
President Joe Biden already approved a major disaster declaration for the multiple fires that have devastated Southern California, a move which unlocked extra federal funding and resources such as grants for temporary housing and programs to help businesses and families recover.
