Barbara Lee: “First of all, I thank our chair for yielding, for her tireless leadership, and for reminding us very clearly that we…”

“First of all, I thank our chair for yielding, for her tireless leadership, and for reminding us very clearly that we need to open up the government right away. As a Representative from northern California, let me just say that I remember vividly the Oakland Hills fire in 1991 that killed 25 people and destroyed more than 3,000 homes, and the 1989 earthquake that killed many people and devastated many parts of my city. I represent Oakland and Berkeley, California. Just as many helped us then, we will help our neighbors now. Disasters can impact any district. Just this morning, a small earthquake hit my district again. Thankfully, there are no reported injuries. Let me also say that I am deeply grateful to our firefighters and first responders who work around the clock to help save lives in disasters that have ravaged our country, especially this past year. Madam Chair, I am in strong support of this emergency supplemental, which provides $12.1 billion in disaster relief to people who have been impacted by wildfires, hurricanes, typhoons, and other natural disasters. Our neighbors in Paradise, California; Puerto Rico; Guam; Florida; southern California; the Virgin Islands; and the territories all need our help, and they need it now. Northern California's most recent wildfire known as the Camp fire is the most destructive in California's history. Eighty-five people lost their lives, and 13,000 homes were destroyed.…”