Story perspectives

All FEMA-Qualified Snow Aid Approved Since Bush, 2016 NM Exception

7/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. presidents have approved every snow-assistance request meeting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards since President George W. Bush, except a 2016 New Mexico request investigated for mishandling.
The investigation examined emails between federal and state officials and 150 pages of documents the state sent to FEMA.
A former FEMA official told Politico they cannot recall any disaster declaration denied when a state met FEMA and NOAA criteria, making denials rare.

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Story summary

U.S. presidents have approved every snow-assistance request meeting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards since President George W. Bush, except a 2016 New Mexico request investigated for mishandling.
The investigation examined emails between federal and state officials and 150 pages of documents the state sent to FEMA.
A former FEMA official told Politico they cannot recall any disaster declaration denied when a state met FEMA and NOAA criteria, making denials rare.