Mayor May Sign Letter of Support for Newsom’s $39.7 Billion Fire Recovery Appeal to Congress

On Monday, the Pasadena City Council will consider submitting a letter to Congressional leadership supporting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request for $39 billion in federal funding to aid recovery efforts related to the Eaton and Palisades fires.

Mayor Victor Gordo would be authorized to sign the letter on behalf of the City Council.

In the Feb. 21 letter, Newsom requested a supplemental federal appropriation to assist in the recovery efforts following the devastating firestorms.

The catastrophic fires, fueled by hurricane-force winds, destroyed over 16,000 structures and severely impacted multiple communities throughout the region.

Seventeen people were killed and 9,000 structures destroyed as the fire scorched more than 14,000 acres.

In the letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, Newsom emphasized the urgent need for federal aid to support both immediate recovery efforts and long-term rebuilding.

The California Congressional Delegation, including Representatives Ken Calvert, Norma Torres, Josh Harder, David Valadao, Pete Aguilar, and Mike Levin, were also copied on the request.

The monies would be used to help restore the region’s infrastructure, homes, businesses, and communities. Newsom noted that while the state is actively responding and assessing the damage, the full economic impact of the firestorms may take years to fully determine.

“California is doing everything it can to expedite the recovery process,” Newsom wrote, citing a series of executive orders aimed at fast-tracking cleanup and reconstruction. This includes suspending environmental regulations and providing tax relief. However, he stated that the scale of the destruction requires federal support to complement state efforts.

The funding request breaks down into several key areas, including business recovery and housing restoration.

The state is particularly seeking an additional $5.29 billion for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Disaster Loan Assistance Program to provide low-interest loans to businesses, homeowners, and renters.

California also seeks an increase in loan limits, including raising the real property loan cap to $2 million.

Newsom stressed that with federal assistance, Los Angeles will not only rebuild but thrive as it prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.