Joe Neguse

We ought to think about how we reform the process in and of itself, statutorily, so that you don't have to go through this exercise for these land exchanges.

I guess what I would say is I am a little bit more confused now than I was at the outset of the hearing.

I am just trying to get a better sense of how this would work in practice.

There is some real room for reform, in my view, that is substantive and structural.

I am certainly supportive of the bill that Mr. Curtis, my good friend from Utah, has introduced, as well as Mr. Morelle, Ms. Plaskett.

Did Attorney General Garland decline to implement any of the recommendations that you have made?

Did Attorney General Garland provide support to your efforts?

Did Attorney General Garland attempt to prevent or stop you or your team from taking any investigative step that you deemed necessary?

Did Attorney General Garland interfere with your inquiry, your investigation in any way?

Did Attorney General Garland permit your inquiry to proceed independently?

I have been beating the drum here in Congress, of course, for years with respect to the comprehensive reforms that I think we need to get done, as described and articulated in my bill, the Tim's Act.

I couldn't agree with you more in response to Chairman Westerman's question. We all know there is a serious pay cliff approaching.

The ability to provide affordable housing options for our Forest Service workers, for our wildland firefighters, for first responders is very important.

I am thankful for this opportunity, and look forward to your questions.

I think this is a program worth supporting and extending, so I am hopeful that my colleagues will support it.

I have introduced the Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnership Act, along with my colleague, Senator Bennet in the Senate, which extends an existing authority that I know is being utilized right now in my district in Colorado.

I am proud to introduce the Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023, alongside Senator Hirono.

I hope we can work toward bipartisan solutions to address our shared concerns regarding reduced wildfire risk.

I think that is a significant step in the right direction that moves us closer to the balance.

I want to thank Representative Tokuda for her leadership.

Representative Tokuda's Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act will help support ongoing efforts to address the fungal disease attacking native Ohia trees in Hawaii.

We need to have an all-hands-on-deck approach to support our rural communities and the wildland firefighting workforce.

I am delighted to see that one of my bills is included in today's agenda, the Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnership Act of 2023.

Ensuring that wildland firefighters, who put their lives at risk each and every day to protect our constituents, are paid a fair salary, receive lifesaving benefits, and have access to affordable housing should be at the top of our list.

We have to recognize the need to do everything that we can to promote healthy and resilient forests and prioritize community safety.