In response to a question on whether he is willing to send money to assist California in dealing with fatal wildfires, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson stated on Monday that “there should probably be conditions” on aid, suggesting a potential political conflict over providing aid to the typically Democratic state.
Conditions on that assistance should likely be in place, in my opinion. That is the way I see it. We’ll find out what everyone thinks. Since everyone has been so busy over the weekend, Johnson didn’t get a chance to address it with any of the members, but he did mention that it will be brought up during the meeting.
He refrained from providing details and HeadlinesA request for clarification has been made to his office by Forever.
Johnson echoed President-elect Trump’s criticisms of California’s Democratic governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles’s Democratic mayor Karen Bass, saying the House Republican Conference will have a “serious discussion” regarding aid and blaming California’s leadership, who he claimed, “were derelict in their duty.”
“It seems to us that state and municipal leaders were negligent in many ways, and there has been water resource management, forest management, errors, and all kinds of difficulties. Ultimately, it all comes down to leadership. According to him, that is an important consideration.
While Johnson did say that the GOP conference is considering linking a debt ceiling rise to California funding, he did warn that “we will see how it goes.”
More money to assist rebuild after natural catastrophes is routinely authorized with little to no limitations and with the cooperation of both parties.
The disaster aid for California might become embroiled in a political battle in Congress in the next days and weeks due to Johnson’s original position.
Since Republicans only have a small majority in the House, the speaker will almost certainly want the support of Democrats in order to pass any final bill.