Political Quotes

“I thank my friend from Colorado for extending me 3 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the previous question and the rule, especially the section regarding the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act. Climate change is having a real and serious impact in Colorado and throughout the country. In 2020, Colorado experienced the three largest wildfires in our State's history. Last summer, smoke from West Coast wildfires settled in the Denver Basin and what was at first some of the most pristine, best air in the world became some of the dirtiest as a result of the smoke from those wildfires. Most recently, as my friend said, in December of last year, a fire ripped through the northwest suburbs of Denver, between Denver and Boulder, destroying more than 1,000 homes in 6 hours. Over the last 20 years it has been hotter and dryer in Colorado and throughout the West than ever recorded. Unfortunately, there is still a lot we don't know about wildfires, their behavior, and their long- lasting effects. The Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act will improve our understanding of wildfires and create a more coordinated whole-of-government approach so we can better prepare for and respond to these worsening threats. Close to half of my State's population lives in or near places prone to wildfires, so we need to get serious about our approach to wildfires to protect people's lives, their homes, and our natural resources.…”