Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise today to speak in support of the President's emergency supplemental request of $615 million to fight wildfires throughout the United States. We have witnessed increasingly large and devastating wildfires over the last few decades. Nationwide, the costs of fighting wildfires has increased from $200 million in 1986 to $1.7 billion in 2013. In that same time, the amount of acres burned has increased from 2.7 million acres in 1986 to 4.3 million acres in 2013. In many parts of the U.S., fire seasons are now 60 to 80 days longer compared to three decades ago and in some places like Southern California, the fire season never ends. This is leading to seasonal firefighters being hired several months earlier than normal and federal agencies spending more to make sure our firefighters are prepared and have the necessary resources available for the entire year. So far this year, California has experienced a 35 percent increase in fire activity and a 16 percent increase in acres burned over an average year. These alarming statistics translate to more than 4,000 wildfires in my State already that have burned more than 52,000 acres since the beginning of the year. Right now, brave firefighters in California are battling five different large fires. The largest is the Sand Fire, which has burned over 4,000 acres east of Sacramento. This fire has already destroyed 19 homes.…”