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politics17h ago
Colorado lawmakers in Congress introduce bill to override president’s denial of disaster aid for state’s fifth largest wildfire
Postindependent.com and 2 more
- Colorado lawmakers in Congress introduced the Disaster Declaration Transparency Act of 2026 to let Congress override a president's denial of major disaster declarations, aiming to unlock federal aid for severe wildfires and historic floods.
- The measure would trigger a 24-hour notice to Congress and require a written explanation if FEMA has recommended approval but the president denies it.
- Supporters note FEMA classified over $40 million in qualified damages from Colorado’s Elk and Lee disasters, suggesting aid thresholds were unmet despite need.
- Elk and Lee fires and southwest Colorado flooding are cited as the disasters the bill would target to unlock federal disaster recovery funding.
- Colorado’s full congressional delegation previously urged the Trump administration to issue disaster declarations to expedite federal support.
- The act would permit Congress to reverse a presidential denial and fast-track consideration in both chambers for a timely vote.
- FEMA has repeatedly failed to provide detailed rationale for denials, with letters stating only that aid was not warranted.
- The Lee Fire ranked as Colorado’s fifth largest, destroying approximately 137,750 acres and underscoring the scale of losses at stake.
- Without federal funds, repairs to critical electrical infrastructure in Rio Blanco County could slow, shifting costs to local rate payers amid damaged transmission lines.
- The measure enjoys bipartisan backing in Colorado, reflecting cross-party concern over disaster relief access.
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