Rep. Stefanik urges Trump to grant waiver providing funds for FEMA work due to COVID-19 pandemic

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik sent a letter to President Trump along with the entire New York Congressional Delegation urging him to immediately grant a waiver to provide 100% federal funding for all FEMA emergency work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, due to the emergency disaster declaration given to New York, the state can receive reimbursement for eligible work related to COVID-19. However, this assistance comes at a 75 percent federal and 25 percent state cost share, which leaves a substantial cost burden for states like New York that have been hit hard by the pandemic.

“New York State is the epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis, and my constituents in the North Country are dealing with the consequences,” said Congresswoman Stefanik.

“I sent this bipartisan letter along with each member of the New York Congressional Delegation urging President Trump to fully cover the cost of FEMA’s emergency work as our state responds to this public health crisis. New York must be able to access all available federal funding in order to rebuild our economy, protect public health, and slow the spread into Upstate. My district comprises the largest population of seniors in the entire state, and the consequences could be catastrophic if COVID-19 surges into the North Country the way it already has Downstate. I will continue working tirelessly to ensure we have the resources we need to combat the virus and protect the public health.”