After Denial of Emergency Aid for Blizzard, Amo, Friedman Introduce Bill to Stop Trump’s Politicization of Disaster Aid

Washington, DC – Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI-01) and Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, Congresswoman Laura Friedman (D-CA-30) introduced the Disaster Relief Fairness Act to prevent the president from maliciously denying disaster assistance to states and communities that meet the criteria to qualify. 

The bill comes after Trump denied Rhode Island’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration following the historic February blizzard, despite more than $19 million in direct storm damages, which was more than nine times the threshold required for a declaration. President Trump denied Rhode Island’s request on the same day it approved disaster declarations for several Republican-led states.

During President Trump’s second term, the White House has approved 89% of disaster aid requests from Republican governors and 23% from Democratic governors. These politicized denials negatively impact state, city, and town budgets and property tax rates for residents.

“Our state was battered by record-breaking snow and dangerous power outages last February. Instead of helping Rhode Island recover, Trump is playing politics with disaster aid,” said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI-01). “Who you voted for should not impact whether or not the federal government steps in to help communities dig out after disaster. I’m proud to work with my delegation colleagues to prevent the President from using disaster assistance as political leverage.”

"When a disaster hits American families, the only question should be how fast help arrives, not how your neighbors voted," said Congresswoman Laura Friedman (D-CA-30). "Angelenos saw it firsthand when this administration turned wildfire relief into a bargaining chip, and states across our country are seeing it now. If the White House gets to pick and choose who recovers, no community in America is safe. Our bill ends that for good and ensures disaster aid is about recovery and nothing else."

This bill is cosponsored by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25).

Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse lead the Disaster Relief Fairness Act in the Senate. 
 

Background

On February 22–23, 2026, Rhode Island experienced a severe snowstorm that dropped more than three feet of snow in 24 hours in parts of the state. It was the state’s highest one-day snowfall on record. The storm caused widespread power outages, emergency room visits, and disruptions to transportation, utilities, businesses, and public services.

Under current law, disaster requests must be based upon a finding that the situation is beyond the capability of the state and affected local governments or Indian tribal governments. The Disaster Relief Fairness Act would ensure that disaster assistance requests made during Trump’s presidency are approved if they meet FEMA’s established requirements and thresholds.

The denial is part of a broader pattern of Rhode Islanders being forced to fight for the federal support they deserve. Amo pressed the Trump administration over rising energy costs and challenged Energy Secretary Chris Wright over statements to Congress, while continuing to push federal agencies to deliver for Rhode Island.

In July, Amo joined Senators Reed and Whitehouse and Congressman Magaziner in calling on FEMA to explain why Rhode Island’s request for assistance was denied. The lawmakers also urged the state to appeal the decision.

After the state’s appeal was denied in September, the Rhode Island Delegation denounced Trump’s politicization of disaster aid and opened a probe to investigate and expose the Trump administration’s blatant and unwarranted politicization of federal disaster aid. 
 

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