Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BumRushDaShow

(145,380 posts)
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 06:09 AM Tuesday

Enraged Dems warn Johnson not to condition California wildfire aid

Source: Axios

11 hours ago


House Democrats are warning Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) that tying federal wildfire relief for California to the debt limit could set a new precedent that would come back to bite Republicans.

Why it matters: Disaster prone red states like Florida and Louisiana — Johnson's home state — could face a similar squeeze from Democrats if they retake the House, lawmakers told Axios.

  • "This place is like high school, it's tit for tat when one side breaks a norm. The other side is happy to return the favor," said Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), pointing to the removal of members from committees as an example.
  • If Johnson conditions the aid, Moskowitz said, "California's our largest delegation. You think they're going to forget about that?"


  • Driving the news: Johnson told reporters Monday that, "I think that there should probably be conditions on that aid. That's my personal view."

  • "We'll see what the consensus is. I haven't had a chance to socialize that with any of the members over the weekend, because we've all been very busy. But it will be part of the discussion for sure," he said.
  • It's not clear yet whether the idea has full support among Republicans, with centrist Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) telling Axios "that process will play itself out."
  • "We want to provide relief to Americans who were impacted by natural disasters of any kind," he said, but California's "disastrous policy decisions … will be part of a discussion."


  • What they're saying: "I just think it's a really bad precedent, and, yeah, I do think it could have slingshot effects," Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) told Axios in a brief interview at the Capitol.

  • "Whether it's wildfires in CA, or hurricanes and tornadoes in Louisiana, we should should never condition aid to disaster victims," Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) told Axios, also warning that the move would set a "really dangerous precedent."
  • House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) said conditioning aid would be "crazy and ridiculous" and would "completely upend Congress."


  • Read more: https://www.axios.com/2025/01/14/california-wildfires-mike-johnson-debt-ceiling
    14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
    Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
    Enraged Dems warn Johnson not to condition California wildfire aid (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Tuesday OP
    Johnson is probably just placating their media underpants Tuesday #1
    Will the house republicans vote against.... Lovie777 Tuesday #2
    Look at the CA districts where the GQP is elected. maxsolomon Tuesday #12
    Arguing precedent to the GOP isn't much of a warning IMO Raven123 Tuesday #3
    The way MAGAts toy with people at the lowest points of their lives is unconscionable Magoo48 Tuesday #4
    All Homes Built Back with Hempcrete offers fire-resistant rebuilding material for SoCal Oneear Tuesday #5
    What has Florida/Texas/Louisiana/Mississippi done Old Crank Tuesday #6
    I hope... 2naSalit Tuesday #7
    There is absolutely no pushback from the media on the lies about CA's policies. erodriguez Tuesday #8
    And THAT'S the key, right there. calimary Tuesday #9
    It's just outrageous. yardwork Tuesday #10
    But speaker Moses is a man of Gawd Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Tuesday #11
    OK great idea IbogaProject Tuesday #13
    Jimmy Carter's death highlights bronxiteforever Tuesday #14

    Lovie777

    (15,527 posts)
    2. Will the house republicans vote against....
    Tue Jan 14, 2025, 06:37 AM
    Tuesday

    their state?

    I have absolutely no faith nor trust in Republicans.

    maxsolomon

    (35,501 posts)
    12. Look at the CA districts where the GQP is elected.
    Tue Jan 14, 2025, 01:05 PM
    Tuesday

    They aren't the ones that burned.

    The answer is: of course they will.

    Oneear

    (230 posts)
    5. All Homes Built Back with Hempcrete offers fire-resistant rebuilding material for SoCal
    Tue Jan 14, 2025, 06:46 AM
    Tuesday

    Would the GOP GO with this?

    Old Crank

    (5,106 posts)
    6. What has Florida/Texas/Louisiana/Mississippi done
    Tue Jan 14, 2025, 07:47 AM
    Tuesday

    To mitigate disasters. They build right back with federal tax dollars backstopping the stupidity.

    calimary

    (84,858 posts)
    9. And THAT'S the key, right there.
    Tue Jan 14, 2025, 10:26 AM
    Tuesday

    “California's our largest delegation. You think they're going to forget about that?"
    - Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.)

    California MUST exercise the size advantage it has! And that’s its huge load of voters. Size DOES make a difference!

    yardwork

    (64,968 posts)
    10. It's just outrageous.
    Tue Jan 14, 2025, 10:40 AM
    Tuesday

    Natural disasters are going to get worse and more frequent, and the Republicans see it as a chance to make money.

    They are horrible people.

    IbogaProject

    (3,908 posts)
    13. OK great idea
    Tue Jan 14, 2025, 01:21 PM
    Tuesday

    Only allow it for the bottom 96%, we have to ask those GOP style questions. "Why should disaster aid go to multimillionaires, if the national debt is such an issue"?

    bronxiteforever

    (9,649 posts)
    14. Jimmy Carter's death highlights
    Tue Jan 14, 2025, 01:33 PM
    Tuesday

    the pretend values of today’s GOP. The GOP religion is just a con dressed in spiritual words that are used to disguise their greed, hate and deceit.

    Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Enraged Dems warn Johnson...