This week, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., sent a letter to President Joe Biden expressing his support of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ appeal of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell’s decision to deny the state of Florida’s Major Disaster Declaration request following the devastating tornado that struck Lee County in mid-January.

“The ongoing recovery efforts in Lee County and Charlotte County necessitate a hand-up from the federal government, and I fully support our governor’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration,” Donalds said.

“The governor’s appeal, if successful, will ensure vital resources to those that were impacted by the devastating tornadoes in Southwest Florida and encourages President Biden to provide the necessary support to get my constituents back on their feet,” he continued.

“Our local and state disaster-related resources can only do so much—it is time for the federal government to step up and help the impacted constituents of Florida’s 19th Congressional District,” Donalds added.