2025 House Resolution 224

Whereas, In March 2025, a historic and devastating ice storm struck northern Michigan, crippling communities across the region, downing power lines, destroying critical infrastructure, and leaving tens of thousands of Michigan residents without power, heat, or safe access to basic necessities for days and, in some cases, weeks. The people of northern Michigan suffered immense physical, emotional, and financial hardship as a result of this disaster, with families, farmers, and small businesses facing significant property damage and economic loss; and

Whereas, In response to this devastation, the state of Michigan promptly requested federal disaster relief funding under the Stafford Act to help communities recover, rebuild, and restore critical services. The Trump-Vance administration callously denied the requested aid for individuals, public utilities, and hazard mitigation. In denying this disaster relief, the Trump-Vance administration abandoned northern Michigan families in their time of greatest need, despite the clear evidence of widespread destruction and urgent need for federal support; and

Whereas, This refusal to provide disaster relief for individual assistance represents a profound betrayal of the voters of northern Michigan — many of whom supported Donald Trump and J.D. Vance in good faith, believing they would fight for working families in rural and small-town America. This denial of disaster relief funding not only undermines the recovery of affected communities but also demonstrates a reckless disregard for the well-being of Michiganders. The people of Michigan deserve the full support of their federal government when disaster strikes, not abandonment and neglect at the hands of those sworn to serve them; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Trump-Vance administration to reverse its harmful decision to betray the trust of Northern Michiganders by denying federal disaster relief funding and provide the full amount of requested funding following the devastating March 2025 ice storm; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.