Rep. Brad Sherman issued a statement on the one-year anniversary of the January 2025 Palisades Fire, reflecting on the impact to Pacific Palisades and calling for continued federal disaster recovery funding.
"One year ago, the Palisades Fire tore through Pacific Palisades, destroying homes, displacing families, and permanently changing our community," Sherman said. "The damage was swift, devastating, and deeply personal for many throughout our communities."
Sherman said the federal government has expended $7 billion to respond to the Los Angeles-area wildfires so far because of decisions made during the Biden administration. That funding helped clear debris, provide temporary housing, and give Palisades families a chance to begin rebuilding. Unlocked by President Biden's initial disaster declaration, many more billions of federal dollars are expected to come in the near future to support the state's infrastructure rebuilding projects.
Unless President Donald Trump closes the door, California expects to receive approximately $15 billion for rebuilding, Sherman said. However, a supplemental appropriation is needed to increase the grants to underinsured homeowners.
The Trump administration has signaled to congressional Republicans that at this time it does not support a supplemental disaster appropriation to provide additional assistance directly to families and businesses — not for Southern Californians, not for Texans and Wisconsinites impacted by severe flooding, and not for residents of other states hit by major disasters in 2025, Sherman said.
"Natural disasters do not recognize state borders or political parties," Sherman said. "Abandoning communities still recovering from catastrophe, including here in the Palisades, is wrong and short-sighted."
Sherman said he is proud that C-130J Super Hercules firefighting aircraft he secured years ago for the California National Guard helped protect lives and property in the Palisades.
"One year later, Pacific Palisades continues to rebuild," Sherman said. "I will keep fighting to make sure our community is not forgotten and that the federal government meets its responsibility to stand with Americans when disaster strikes."
Edited by SMDP Staff