California Gov. Newsom requests nearly $40 billion in wildfire recovery funding in letter to Congress

California Governor Gavin Newsom has urgently called on Congress for nearly $40 billion in wildfire recovery aid to help rebuild lives and communities devastated by the recent fires. In a heartfelt letter sent on Friday, Newsom detailed the catastrophic toll these fires have taken, claiming at least 29 lives in Southern California and destroying more than 16,000 homes and businesses.

Addressed to key Congressional leaders—including House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Representatives Tom Cole and Rosa DeLauro, the chair and ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee—the letter lays out a comprehensive recovery plan. This request seeks $16.8 billion in public assistance, $9.9 billion for repairs to homes and businesses, $9.61 billion in loans and grants for struggling businesses, and $2 billion in tax credits for low-income housing.

“The scale of destruction is staggering, and the long-term impact on California’s economy will take years to fully understand,” Newsom wrote, emphasizing the urgent need for federal support. With the recovery effort spanning both immediate and future needs, Newsom’s request underscores the immense challenge ahead as the state works to heal from this unprecedented disaster.

Homes in Altadena, California, that burned in the Eaton Fire.

Last month, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $2.5 billion relief package for California, aimed at addressing the immediate aftermath of the devastating wildfires. However, Newsom has made it clear that he expects the federal government to reimburse the state for much of these costs.

In a move made before leaving office, former President Joe Biden pledged that the federal government would cover 100% of the recovery costs for the first 180 days. But since President Donald Trump took office, there have been concerns that aid to California could be tied to changes in the state’s environmental management policies. This stance has been supported by some Republican members of Congress, including House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Earlier this month, Newsom traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with Trump and Congressional leaders to discuss the federal government’s role in California’s recovery.

“Los Angeles is one of the most economically powerful regions in the world, but its recovery and future prosperity depend on substantial support from the federal government in the wake of this unprecedented disaster,” the letter emphasized.