{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-congressional-republicans-must-probe-trumps-denial-nj-disaster-aid", "Pallone: Congressional Republicans Must Probe Trump\u2019s Denial of NJ Disaster Aid", "2026-08-13", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) is demanding a congressional investigation into President Trump\u2019s denial of $84.4 million in disaster aid to New Jersey after federal officials reportedly determined the state met the government\u2019s threshold for assistance.\n\nIn a letter to the Republican chairs overseeing FEMA, Pallone called on Congress to investigate whether politics played a role in Trump\u2019s decision to deny aid to New Jersey and three other states led by Democratic governors.\n\n\u201cAs the top Congressional leaders with oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), itis within your jurisdiction to ensure our nation\u2019s disaster relief efforts are \u201cfast, fair, and free from political bias,\u201d wrote Pallone.\n\nNew Jersey sought federal assistance after February\u2019s devastating blizzard brought record snowfall, hurricane-force wind gusts and statewide travel bans. At least 12 people died across nine New Jersey counties.\n\nDespite FEMA and NOAA regional officials reportedly finding that the states met federal thresholds for aid, the White House rejected New Jersey\u2019s request on July 2.\n\n\u201cNot only is the denial in and of itself concerning, in response to this denial a FEMA spokesperson stated the following: \u201cIf the federal government is paying for regular operations like snow removal, what next? Garbage removal? The federal government\u2019s role is not to fund routine functions.\u201d This winter storm was anything but routine. The blizzard that hit New Jersey during this period brought record-breaking snowfall, statewide travel bans, and hurricane force wind gusts. This storm resulted in at least 12 confirmed weather-related fatalities across nine New Jersey counties, the most out of any impacted state.[i] It is an egregious misstatement to attempt to qualify this event as routine,\u201d Pallone continued.\n\nPallone is supporting Governor Mikie Sherrill\u2019s appeal of the denial and is calling on Republican committee leaders to investigate why the Trump Administration rejected the aid despite the findings of federal officials.\n\nThe full letter is available HERE and below:\n\nChairmen Graves, Garbarino, Perry and Brecheen,\n\nAs the top Congressional leaders with oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), it is within your jurisdiction to ensure our nation\u2019s disaster relief efforts are \u201cfast, fair, and free from political bias,\u201d as Chairman Graves described.[ii] That is why I call on you to launch an immediate investigation into President Trump\u2019s denial of a disaster declaration for four states that federal officials determined had met government thresholds for receiving aid.\n\nDuring the period of February 22 to 23, 2026 the State of New Jersey, along with other states in the region, experience a devastating winter storm. Given the magnitude and severity of this event, Governor Sherrill requested a Major Disaster Declaration in April of 2026. On July 2, 2026, the White House denied the $84.4 million Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation request. While Governor Sherrill is appealing this denial with my strong support, I am gravely concerned by the way in which this matter is being handled.\n\nRecent reporting found that President Trump\u2019s rejections came after regional offices of FEMA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration determined that the states met government thresholds for receiving aid.[iii] Not only is the denial in and of itself concerning, in response to this denial a FEMA spokesperson stated the following: \u201cIf the federal government is paying for regular operations like snow removal, what next? Garbage removal? The federal government\u2019s role is not to fund routine functions.\u201d This winter storm was anything but routine. The blizzard that hit New Jersey during this period brought record-breaking snowfall, statewide travel bans, and hurricane force wind gusts. This storm resulted in at least 12 confirmed weather-related fatalities across nine New Jersey counties, the most out of any impacted state.[iv] It is an egregious misstatement to attempt to qualify this event as routine.\n\nSevere snowstorms \u2013 just like hurricanes, flooding and other natural disasters \u2013 are a danger to public health and safety. The public relies on the state and federal government to work in tandem to ensure the necessary resources are activated and available, yet once again, this Administration has made a reckless and partisan decision that puts the American people in danger. Flippantly denying the State of New Jersey\u2019s legitimate need for assistance and downplaying the severity of this event diminishes the public\u2019s faith in our ability to govern.\n\nDenying disaster assistance to American citizens just because they live in states that elected Democratic governors is a betrayal of the oath President Trump swore to uphold. That is why I am formally requesting you to begin an immediate investigation into the politicalization that resulted in President Trump\u2019s denial of this disaster funding.\n\nSincerely,\n\nFRANK PALLONE, JR.\n\nMember of Congress\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-14T06:13:05Z", "2026-08-14T06:14:08Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-congressional-republicans-must-probe-trumps-denial-nj-disaster-aid"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8057979866862297, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}