“I’m announcing that the federal government will cover 100% of the cost for 180 days,” Biden said Thursday before a briefing from senior White House and administration officials in the Roosevelt Room. “This is going to pay for things like debris and hazard removal, temporary shelters, first responders salaries, and all necessary measures to protect life and property.”
Biden similarly pledged federal government resources to California, including 400 firefighters, more than 30 firefighting helicopters and planes, and eight C-130s, expressing hope President-elect Donald Trump will not snub the liberal state.
“To the families who have been impacted by this disaster, you’re living through a nightmare, I know. I promise you, we’re going to help you get through this,” he said.
Biden also commented on the lack of water flowing from Los Angeles city and county fire hydrants after Mayor Karen Bass dismissed concerns during an earlier press conference.
“The utilities understandably shut off power because they are worried the lines were going to be blown down and spark additional fires,” he said. “When they did that, it cut off the ability to generate pumping the water. That’s what caused the lack of water in these hydrants.”
Vice President Kamala Harris, a California native, attended the briefing and criticized insurance companies that are “sadly” canceling coverage for some families affected by fires, which will “place an added burden on their ability to recover.”
Earlier in the week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency agreed to sign a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support the impacted community and help pay back California for its firefighting costs.
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Biden was scheduled to depart for Italy on Thursday to meet with Pope Francis, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni but canceled his trip Wednesday because of the fires.
“After returning this evening from Los Angeles, where earlier today he had met with police, fire and emergency personnel fighting the historic fires raging in the area and approved a Major Disaster declaration for California, President Biden made the decision to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wrote in a statement.
