Speaker Johnson Says Congress Should Impose Conditions on California Wildfire Aid

House Speaker Mike Johnson said alleged failures of state and local leaders should be a factor that determines any conditions on federal aid.

Residents begin to return to the Pacific Palisades after the destruction of the Palisades Fire near Los Angeles on Jan. 9, 2025. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

WASHINGTON—Any disaster relief funding issued by Congress in response to recent wildfires in Los Angeles may come with policy conditions, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Jan. 13.

The wildfires, which began on Jan. 7 amid low humidity and high winds, have affected over 40,000 acres of land in Los Angeles County—particularly, the Pacific Palisades in the City of Los Angeles, Altadena, and the City of Malibu—and killed at least 24 people as of publication time.