Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I thank Dr. Schrier for her leadership on this critically important issue to her State, my State of Arizona, and the entire United States of America. I also thank Assistant Leader Neguse for hosting this special hour. Prolonged drought and extreme heat are causing wildfires across the West. In my home State of Arizona, things are only getting worse. Last year, more than 150,000 acres burned in Arizona. This year, it is more than 250,000 acres, and the fire season is not yet over. This isn't and shouldn't become the new normal, but wildfires are now breaking records every year, becoming more frequent and more destructive. We need a bold approach to protect lives and livelihoods. That is why I am proud to support the bipartisan Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act, legislation to combat firefighter shortages, including retaining expert wildland firefighters and improving fire response times with updated technology. It also takes steps to address the public health crisis caused by wildfire smoke by establishing a nationwide, real-time air quality monitoring and alert system. Containing wildfires is priority number one, but post-fire risks are incredibly dangerous, as well. Burn scars after a blaze can lead to life-threatening mudslides and flooding, particularly in rural communities and on Tribal lands. One Northern Arizona University study predicted devastating economic losses from post-fire flooding.…”