Portman, Brown Urge President Trump to Swiftly Approve Ohio’s Request for Addendum to Major Disaster Declaration

WASHINGTON, July 11 -- Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, issued the following news release:

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- Senators Send Letter to Trump Following Governor DeWine's Request for Disaster Declaration for 5 Ohio Counties

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U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today urged President Trump to act swiftly on Governor Mike DeWine's request for an addendum to the Presidential Disaster Declaration granted on June 18, 2019. This addendum would include the Public Assistance Grant program for Columbiana, Greene, Mahoning, Mercer and Montgomery counties impacted by tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding. The Public Assistance Grant program allows state, local, and tribal governments to fund projects for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoration of public infrastructure, among other things. This addendum will help ensure that the impacted state and local government entities - in addition to individuals and businesses already eligible - can access important federal assistance and resources to recover. Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH) also sent a letter strongly supporting Governor Mike DeWine's request.

"We write to urge you to act swiftly on the request by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for an addendum to the Presidential Major Disaster Declaration granted on June 18 to include the Public Assistance Grant Program for 5 counties in Ohio... The State and local governments in the affected areas do not have the capability to sufficiently respond to this major disaster, and therefore, federal assistance is necessary to supplement recovery efforts," wrote Portman and Brown in a letter to the president today.

Full text of the letter is below and here: https://www.portman.senate.gov/sites/default/files/2019-07/20190711%20-%20Disaster%20Declaration%20Letter%20-%20Trump%20Tornado%20Amdt.pdf

Dear Mr. President:

We write to urge you to act swiftly on the request by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for an addendum to the Presidential Major Disaster Declaration granted on June 18 to include the Public Assistance Grant Program for 5 counties in Ohio.

Tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and landslides in Ohio led to significant damage, causing widespread destruction of homes, apartments, and businesses. The State and local governments in the affected areas do not have the capability to sufficiently respond to this major disaster, and therefore, federal assistance is necessary to supplement recovery efforts.

We fully support Governor DeWine's request, and urge your prompt consideration. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Thank you,

Senator Rob Portman

Senator Sherrod Brown