U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Billy Long (R-MO) joined their home-state colleagues in requesting the president’s support of a federal disaster declaration for 114 Missouri counties impacted by tornadoes and severe flooding.
“We respectfully request your prompt action to ensure that these communities receive the immediate support needed to respond to the disaster,” the lawmakers wrote in a June 26 letter sent to President Donald Trump. “Along with our fellow Missourians, we appreciate your attention to this request and stand ready to assist in any way possible.”
Joining Sen. Blunt and Reps. Graves and Long in signing the letter were U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and U.S. Reps. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Ann Wagner (R-MO), William Lacy Clay (D-MO) and Jason Smith (R-MO).
The president’s disaster declaration is a required step for the counties to access federal resources for recovery efforts, according to the lawmakers, who wrote that state and local governments continue to be overwhelmed by the associated costs in their efforts “to protect life and property” following back-to-back severe weather events in April.
The second event in mid-April “has compounded the damage from the first event” that occurred directly before it, according to their letter.