Charleston, WV – The West Virginia Democratic Party on Feb 25th, called on Republican leaders, including Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Senator Jim Justice, Congresswoman Carol Miller, and Congressman Riley Moore, to demand that President Donald Trump act immediately on Governor Patrick Morrisey’s February 17 request for a Major Disaster Declaration in response to the devastating flooding that struck southern West Virginia.

The flooding has claimed four lives, destroyed homes and businesses, and caused millions of dollars in damages across multiple counties. The Major Disaster Declaration is critical to unlocking federal resources to help West Virginians rebuild their homes, infrastructure, and communities. Yet, over a week after Governor Morrisey made the request, Trump has refused to act—and Republican leaders in West Virginia have remained silent in the face of his negligence.

“Where are our so-called Republican leaders?” said West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin. “Governor Morrisey did his job by requesting a Major Disaster Declaration, but over a week has passed without a response from President Trump while West Virginians suffer. Meanwhile, Carol Miller, whose district was hit the hardest, Shelley Moore Capito, Jim Justice, and Riley Moore haven’t said a word. Their silence is unacceptable, and West Virginians deserve answers. They need to stop bowing to Trump and start fighting for the people they were elected to serve.”

As communities in southern West Virginia struggle to recover, volunteer organizations have stepped up where the federal government has failed. Pushkin urged those looking to help to contribute to BlueJay Rising, and Disaster Response Ministries of the WV Conference of the United Methodist Church, which have been on the ground providing disaster assistance since the flooding began.

“West Virginians always take care of each other,” Pushkin said. “But they shouldn’t have to do it alone. Federal aid is available, but we need our Republican leaders to actually fight for it. Capito, Justice, and Moore need to get off the sidelines and demand that Trump approve this request now.”

House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle (D-Cabell) echoed these concerns, calling out the blatant disregard for flood-affected communities.

“This is about people’s homes, their livelihoods, and their futures,” Hornbuckle said. “When disaster strikes, it shouldn’t matter whether a president is a Democrat or a Republican—what matters is getting West Virginians the help they need. Every second Trump delays means more hardship for the families trying to recover from this devastation.”

State Senator Joey Garcia (D-Marion) also criticized the lack of urgency from West Virginia’s GOP leadership.  “The people of southern West Virginia deserve leaders who will fight for them—not ones who are afraid to challenge Trump when he ignores their suffering,” Garcia said. “Our state has seen enough natural disasters to know how critical federal assistance is in the wake of flooding like this.”

The West Virginia Democratic Party stands with flood victims and calls on all state and federal leaders to demand immediate action from the Trump administration. West Virginians cannot afford any more delays.