Gallego Responds to Hobbs Extreme Heat Emergency Declaration, Calls for Federal Action

PHOENIX, AZ - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) issued the following statement after Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency to respond to Arizona’s record-breaking extreme heat.

Statement from Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03):

“I just got off the phone with Governor Hobbs to thank her for taking this critical step to help keep Arizonans safe. The funds made available through this declaration are desperately needed by the many local entities that have been working tirelessly to save lives. But state funding is not enough. As I have been saying for months, Arizona cannot do this alone. The federal government cannot sit on their hands while local government entities bear the financial burden. Arizonans need federal support, and I will not give up on this fight.”

Gov. Hobbs’ declaration means qualifying government entities can submit receipts for allowable expenditures from the duration of the emergency, and they can be reimbursed from state emergency and other funds. She also issued an executive order coordinating government heat response, including state-run cooling centers.

In June, Gallego introduced the bipartisan Extreme Heat Emergency Act to add extreme heat to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) list of major disaster qualifying events. The legislation is supported by the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the National Association of Counties.