California Republicans are expressing strong opposition to suggestions from President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson that federal disaster aid for wildfire victims should be conditional, particularly related to water resource management. Amid escalating tensions regarding disaster relief in a divided Congress, even Republicans from California are arguing against politicizing aid tied to essential support for constituents. Rep. Young Kim highlighted the inappropriateness of linking political demands to emergency assistance for those affected by the wildfires, while local officials clarified misconceptions about water management impacting fire responses.
Playing politics with people's livelihoods is unacceptable and a slap in the face to the Southern California wildfire victims and to our brave first responders, Republican Rep. Young Kim said.
I don't think we should give California anything until they let the water run down, Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity.
Resistance from even a few House members to his efforts to put conditions on disaster aid could further complicate an already fraught relationship between reliably liberal California and the second Trump administration.
Local officials have said the conservation efforts for the delta smelt had nothing to do with the hydrants running dry as firefight.
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