Press Releases

WORCESTER, MASS.—Today, Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, released the following statement expressing his frustration and disappointment at FEMA’s recommendation to deny disaster relief for Leominster, and recommitted himself to fighting for the resources the city deserves to recover from September’s unprecedented and catastrophic flooding.

“FEMA’s recommendation to deny disaster relief for the City of Leominster is unacceptable and unconscionable. I was on-the-ground after the flooding, and it was a disaster in every sense of the word. Families and small business owners showed me how they lost everything. Homes were completely leveled, cars were washed away, and kids were forced to learn in classrooms that were packed with water and mud only days before.

“Now, FEMA is telling these families to figure this out on your own—to rack up credit card debt, drain retirement accounts, and deal with greedy insurance companies who want to find every way possible not to pay out damage claims. Massachusetts is one of the most efficient and least dependent states in the nation on the federal government, and in our time of need, FEMA is slamming the door in our face. I have been in contact with the White House, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, and Mayor Mazzarella to express my anger at this situation. President Biden must overturn this irresponsible recommendation, and I will fully support the governor as she prepares her appeal.”

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