Hawley, Schmitt Urge Trump to Approve Missouri Emergency Declaration & Unlock Disaster Funding Immediately

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Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Earlier this morning, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.)penneda letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to swiftly approve Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe’s May 19 emergency disaster declaration in light of recent devastating storms.“If approved, this declaration would immediately unlock critical funding to support state and local efforts to remove debris and take emergency protective measures,”the Senators wrote.
“After touring the devastated neighborhoods, we can personally attest to the scale of the damage and the clear need for the governor’s request to unlock this first step of federal assistance to support first responder efforts,”they explained.
This emergency designation would unlock resources for immediate needs such as debris removal while the damage is assessed for a more widespread disaster declaration. Senator Hawley spent Monday on the ground in St. Louis, Missouri,meetingwith victims andsurveyingthe damage inflicted by Friday’s tornadoes, and hasset upa portal on his website to help constituents with insurance claims.
Read the full letterhereor below.
May 21, 2025The Honorable Donald J. TrumpPresident of the United StatesThe White House1600 Pennsylvania AvenueWashington, DC 20500Dear President Trump,We write to support Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe’s May 19 request for an emergency disaster declaration, pursuant to the Stafford Act, following devastating tornadoes and storms in the St. Louis region. If approved, this declaration would immediately unlock critical funding to support state and local efforts to remove debris and take emergency protective measures.As you may know, on May 16, 2025, severe storms and tornadoes struck the St. Louis region and areas of southeast Missouri, claiming at least seven lives and causing widespread damage and destruction. Preliminary damage assessments are slated to begin tomorrow in preparation for the Governor’s request for a major disaster declaration. Importantly, Governor Kehoe’s emergency declaration request would expedite funding to the State of Missouri in the interim and provide important reinforcement for recovery efforts currently underway.After touring the devastated neighborhoods, we can personally attest to the scale of the damage and the clear need for the governor’s request to unlock this first step of federal assistance to support first responder efforts. We respectfully urge your immediate consideration and approval of this emergency declaration request.Sincerely,Josh HawleyUnited States SenatorEric S. SchmittUnited States Senator

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381 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510Office: 202-224-6154Fax: 202-228-0526
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