Assemblymembers Jacqui Irwin and John Harabedian Introduce AJR 27 Urging Immediate Federal Disaster Aid for Los Angeles County Fire Recovery

SACRAMENTO, CA - Assemblymembers Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) and John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) today announced the introduction of Assembly Joint Resolution 27 (AJR 27), calling on the President of the United States and Congress to act swiftly to deliver critical federal disaster relief funding for communities devastated by the 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires.

AJR 27 calls upon the President to immediately submit a supplemental disaster funding request to Congress to unlock long-term recovery resources. The resolution also calls on Congress to approve supplemental aid for Los Angeles County regardless of whether a formal request is transmitted by the President.

On January 7, 2025, the Eaton Fire and the Palisades Fire ignited, forcing nearly 192,000 residents to evacuate and destroying more than 16,000 structures across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and surrounding communities. The fires claimed a total of 31 lives leaving behind grieving families and friends.

While initial federal assistance was made available following a major disaster declaration by then President Joeseph Biden, and California committed more than $2.5 billion in bipartisan state relief signed by Gavin Newsom, the scale of destruction requires substantial supplemental federal support to fully rebuild homes, schools, businesses, and infrastructure.

In February 2025, Governor Newsom formally requested nearly $39.7 billion in federal disaster funding, later revising the request to approximately $33.9 billion to reflect costs already covered. Those funds would support debris removal, housing and infrastructure repair, business assistance, tax relief, fire mitigation, and other essential recovery efforts.

Fire survivors are now facing the expiration of mortgage forbearance periods, adding urgency to the need for federal action.

"American families who were devasted by the Palisades and Eaton fires are facing the end of mortgage forbearance and the long road to rebuilding and recovery deserves certainty, support, and immediate action," said Assemblymember Irwin. "Assembly Joint Resolution 27 makes clear that the people of Los Angeles County can wait no longer for the federal support they need to recover. These unprecedented disasters destroyed thousands of homes, displaced nearly 192,000 residents, and deeply impacted entire communities. California has stepped up with significant emergency funding, but the scale of this destruction requires a true federal partnership. We call on the President to immediately submit a supplemental disaster funding request to Congress and ask that Congress approve this critical aid without delay or conditions."

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas stated, "When disaster strikes, California always stands with those who have lost everything - and we demand our federal government do the same. Assembly member Irwin continues to hold the White House accountable for long-delayed obligations to the people of Los Angeles. This city - resilient, mighty, indispensable to the fabric of our nation - will rebuild. And it will do so with the full support it was always promised."

AJR 27 reflects the unified support of California's bipartisan congressional delegation and underscores the Legislature's commitment to ensuring Los Angeles County receives the federal resources necessary for a full and equitable recovery.