Democrat Senators Push to Classify Extreme Heat as Major Disaster

Two U.S. senators are advocating for the inclusion of extreme heat in federal disaster declarations, pointing to an increasing death toll and the mounting pressure on state and local resources.

Senators Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) have put forth the Extreme Heat Emergency Act, which seeks to modify the Stafford Act to enable the president to designate extreme heat as a major disaster — thereby unlocking FEMA funding and assistance, as reported by The Center Square.

“Extreme heat results in more fatalities among Americans each year than any other form of extreme weather,” Gallego stated in a press release. “Yet, the federal government remains inactive, forcing state and local authorities to exhaust their resources in efforts to ensure public safety.”

“By incorporating extreme heat into FEMA’s classification of major disasters, we can access the financial resources and support that our communities urgently require,” he continued.

This legislative initiative arises as progressive Democrats persist in promoting “climate change” as justification for advocating increased regulations and taxpayer funding for various “green” projects.

Rosen emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that over 500 individuals lost their lives in a single Nevada county last year due to heat. In 2025, at least 29 heat-related fatalities have already been documented in southern Nevada.

“Existing federal policies overlook the physical and health hazards posed by such excessively high temperatures to our communities,” Rosen remarked. “By designating extreme heat as a major disaster, our communities will gain access to the federal funding necessary for effective response and preparedness.”

In Arizona, the situation is reportedly even more severe, according to the lawmakers. Gallego’s office indicated that there were 608 heat-related deaths in Maricopa County alone in 2024, with an additional 275 cases currently under investigation this year — a significant increase compared to the same period last year.

Representative Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) has introduced a corresponding bill in the House, as stated by the outlet.

“This reform will save lives nationwide, and I commend the sponsors of this bill for advocating this initiative,” stated Mayor Gallego, according to the outlet.

Sen. Gallego has also put forth several additional bills focused on heat. His Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act aims to finance projects that mitigate urban heat island effects. The Extreme Heat Economic Study Act advocates for federal research into the impacts of heat on health, infrastructure, and the economy. Furthermore, his LIHEAP Parity Act seeks to allocate more federal energy assistance to states with hot climates, such as Arizona.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court opted not to hear challenges to state and local lawsuits against oil companies that aim to compel them to provide compensation for alleged damages related to climate change.

Energy-producing states, oil companies, and industry associations have filed two challenges against a wave of climate lawsuits. Detractors argue that these states are leveraging these lawsuits to enforce anti-fossil fuel policies. If successful, oil companies would be liable for billions of dollars, costs that would ultimately be passed on to consumers.

“Consumers do not benefit from these lawsuits, which aim to remove products from store shelves and redirect funds to leftist agendas,” remarked O.H. Skinner, executive director of the Alliance for Consumers, a nonprofit organization advocating for consumer rights.

“We hope that the defendants in these lawsuits continue to contest these cases, as they have consistently triumphed in the final stages of review, which is essential to ensure that consumers are not sacrificed in the face of this leftist onslaught,” Skinner further stated.

The Alliance for Consumers published a report last year revealing the extensive dark money campaign that liberal advocacy groups were employing to fund these lawsuits. The findings of the report align with those of other research studies.

In December, Skinner informed Just the News that if these lawsuits, which target energy companies through state-level nuisance laws, succeed, oil companies will be forced to either halt oil production or undertake costly measures to reduce emissions.