Trump Repays Gov. Abbott’s Loyalty with 0 Dollars for Disaster Survivors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2026
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Trump Repays Gov. Abbott’s Loyalty with 0 Dollars for Disaster Survivors
More than a month after devastating floods struck Hill Country again, Trump still has not approved FEMA Individual Assistance programs for families in 30 counties
TEXAS – Governor Greg Abbott is thanking President Trump and celebrating the approval of federal disaster aid for Texas, but the assistance that goes directly to disaster survivors still hasn’t been approved.
According to Governor Abbott, the disaster declaration for Texas will reimburse local governments for some of their recovery costs – but without FEMA Individual Assistance, Texas families in 30 flood-impacted counties are still waiting for help with temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related losses.
The following statement can be attributed to Derrick Osobase, CWA District 6 Vice President (TX) and Sabotaging Our Safety Advisory Council member:
“Governor Abbott seems more interested in thanking Donald Trump than fighting for Texans.
Today, Abbott celebrated a federal disaster declaration while burying the most important fact: Texas families still have not been approved for FEMA Individual Assistance.
For months, Governor Abbott has carried water for the Trump Administration on FEMA, putting his name on an unpopular report that ultimately recommended raising insurance prices and cutting relief for survivors and their communities.
Now, at a moment when Texans across 30 counties need that agency to help them rebuild their homes and their lives, Trump is turning his back – and Governor Abbott is conspicuously silent.
Texans don’t need Abbott to thank Trump. They need Abbott to fight for them.
If Abbott has enough influence with this White House to defend its actions on FEMA, he ought to have enough influence to get disaster assistance for the people he was elected to serve.”
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About Sabotaging Our Safety
The Trump administration and its state allies are Sabotaging Our Safety by dismantling disaster preparedness response services. From hurricane-battered coastlines to flood-ravaged plains, millions of Americans face growing threats while the Trump administration cuts federal emergency response capabilities and extreme governors fail to provide real leadership when disasters hit their states. We're holding them accountable.
