In response to this week’s news that DC denied Alaska’s request for critical funding for Typhoon Halong disaster relief, Mary Peltola issued the following statement:
“Alaska is still suffering from the fallout of Typhoon Halong, which wiped out entire villages and has displaced more than 1,000 Alaskans – yet DC is turning its back on us. It’s unacceptable, and is yet another proofpoint that Dan Sullivan’s failed leadership is materially harming Alaska. Alaska needs two fighters in the Senate, and as Alaska’s next Senator I will stand up to anyone to secure the resources Alaskans need to rebuild their communities.”
This past week, under Dan Sullivan’s failed leadership, DC denied a 90% federal cost share adjustment for disaster recovery costs from the flooding and remnants of Typhoon Halong, “putting Alaska on the hook for tens of millions of dollars.” This denial comes after Sullivan backed cuts to FEMA disaster relief funding and voted against funding for public media — even as tsunami warnings were being broadcast on air.
Mary Peltola has been a tireless advocate for Alaskans in the wake of natural disasters – she’s been on the ground in Alaska communities after rock slides in Southeast Alaska, typhoons battering Western Alaska, and flooding in Juneau. When Typhoon Merbok hit in 2022, Mary worked hand in hand with affected communities and a bipartisan congressional coalition to secure federal funding covering 100% of eligible emergency assistance costs.
###
