NEW YORK – Following President Biden’s quick approval of an Emergency Disaster Declaration for New York, Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Grace Meng today led a bipartisan and bicameral letter to President Biden asking him to also expedite the approval of a Major Disaster Declaration for the state as soon as it is requested by Governor Kathy Hochul.

The additional declaration would allow more FEMA resources to be made available to New York for help with recovery efforts from damage caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida, including direct relief for individuals and small businesses. Governor Hochul is currently taking the necessary steps to make an anticipated request for a Major Disaster Declaration.

“We thank President Biden for moving swiftly to approve the Emergency Disaster Declaration,” said Reps. Bowman and Meng. “We now urge him to follow through with the next step, and quickly approve a Major Disaster Declaration as well. The needs of New Yorkers continue to grow, and we must make sure that we receive the largest amount of federal assistance possible.”

President Biden approved the Emergency Disaster Declaration for New York late Thursday after receiving Governor Hochul’s formal request for assistance. His approval also came after Bowman, Meng and other members of New York’s congressional delegation from both parties and both houses of Congress urged him to immediately grant the governor’s request.

Joining Reps. Bowman and Meng on the letter are Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Lee Zeldin (R-NY), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Antonio Delgado (D-NY), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Mondaire Jones (D-NY).

Click here to read the full text of the letter.