Julia Brownley: “This is the final amendment to H.R. 1947. It will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill…”

“This is the final amendment to H.R. 1947. It will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. My amendment is a straightforward improvement that I believe both sides can agree is absolutely necessary. First, the amendment would protect homes and businesses nationwide from devastating fires by funding wildfire suppression, personnel and firefighting equipment. Second, the amendment will help create jobs and small businesses throughout rural America and will provide safe drinking water to these communities as well. Mr. Speaker, I proudly represent Ventura County in California. In May, we had a dangerous wildfire that burned over 24,000 acres. It threatened homes in Camarillo, surrounded Cal State University at Channel Islands, and burned parts of Naval Base Ventura County. As the Springs Fire raged, we looked for help from the brave men and women serving as firefighters, not only from my district, but throughout California and the Western States. Due to their tireless efforts, homes and businesses were saved, and not one life was lost. Following the Springs Fire, I had the opportunity and occasion to thank the firefighters in my county. They showed me the real time computer equipment they used to successfully fight this fire. With this equipment, firefighters could predict the direction of the fire and the terrain they would face next in real time.…”