Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 8790, the Fix Our Forests Act. This bill had real potential, potential that could have been realized if committee Democrats had been meaningfully involved in its development. Wildfires are a crisis that demands our collective attention across party lines. We have seen firsthand how it devastates communities, including in southern California where the Post fire continues to burn in the rugged hills of East L.A. Hot, dry, and windy conditions intensified by the climate crisis are fueling more frequent and severe wildfires. These fires are spreading faster, lasting longer, and growing more intense. Let me be clear: While this may seem like the new normal, it is anything but. The wildfire crisis is linked directly to the climate crisis, and if we are serious about protecting our communities, we must tackle both head-on. That means reducing emissions and committing to a clean, renewable economy, something that, sadly, this Congress under Republican leadership refuses to address. {time} 1500 We must also ensure that our Federal land management agencies have the resources, personnel, and tools to promote resilient forests and safe communities. That is why House Democrats took bold action in the last Congress. Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we secured $28 billion for the Department of the Interior and $5.5 million for the Forest Service to address wildfire management and resilience.…”