WASHINGTON, D.C. – The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, is urging President Donald Trump to approve the State of Maryland’s request for a declaration of a “major disaster” following Tropical Storm Isaias. The lawmakers also requested that the federal government cover a larger share of the overall costs than the typical 75 percent and support mitigation efforts to prevent future damage from similar storms.

“Given the massive impact that this flooding had on state and local resources in Maryland, we respectfully request that you expeditiously approve the provision of supplementary federal assistance, pursuant to the Stafford Act,” they wrote Wednesday in a letter to the president.

“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on state and local governments responding to natural disasters during this extremely active Atlantic hurricane season.  We support increasing the federal cost share for Isaias recovery, due to the cumulative impact of this disaster and the ongoing pandemic. … Additionally, we support Maryland’s request for Hazard Mitigation Assistance, to help prevent and reduce long-term risk to life and property from future natural disasters.”

The full letter follows and can be found at this link.

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