Newsom Asks Congress for Nearly $40 Billion for Los Angeles Wildfire Aid

California Gov. Gavin Newsom asked Congress to approve nearly $40 billion in relief aid for the Los Angeles area after last month’s destructive wildfires, which could be the nation’s costliest natural disaster in history. In a Feb. 21 post on the social platform X, Newsom said it will take an “all-hands-on-deck approach to rebuild from the devastating fires in LA.” “I’m asking Congress to have the back of the American people and provide disaster funding to help Californians recover and rebuild as soon as possible,” he said. Newsom sent a letter on Feb. 21 to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.), and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee....