local
Trump is taking longer to approve disaster aid and denying Democratic states more frequently
By DAVID A. LIEB and M.K. WILDEMAN, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· July 16, 2026
· 1 min read
When major disasters strike, Americans are routinely waiting weeks — or even months — to receive presidential approval for aid. And if they live in a state that didn't support President Donald Trump, chances are greater that aid will denied. Since taking office last year, Trump has approved about...
Key takeaway And if they live in a state that didn't support President Donald Trump, chances are greater that aid will denied.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The delayed approval of disaster aid by the federal government has significant implications for communities like Odessa , which is prone to severe weather events and natural disasters. As a city located in the Permian Basin, Odessa is vulnerable to disasters such as wildfires, tornadoes, and floods, which can devastate local residents and businesses. The potential for denial of aid based on political considerations adds an extra layer of uncertainty for Ector County residents, who may be forced to rely on local resources to recover from disasters. With the federal approval process taking weeks or even months, it is crucial for local authorities to have a plan in place to respond quickly to disasters and provide support to affected residents. The community should pay close attention to how the federal government's disaster aid approval process affects local disaster response efforts.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When major disasters strike, Americans are routinely waiting weeks — or even months — to receive presidential approval for aid. And if they live in a state that didn't support President Donald Trump, chances are greater that aid will denied. Since taking office last year, Trump has approved about...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by DAVID A. LIEB and M.K. WILDEMAN, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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