Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my amendment that redirects $5 million from government bureaucracy to hazardous fuels reduction activities within the Bureau of Land Management to prevent catastrophic wildfires and save lives. The year I was elected to office, Colorado suffered the worst fire season in Colorado history with the three largest recorded wildfires we have ever had. Hundreds of homes were destroyed and evacuated as Coloradans endured more than 100 days of fire. The Cameron Peak fire burned more than 208,000 acres and more than 460 structures to the tune of $6 million in property losses. The East Troublesome fire, on the border of my district, killed two people. Coloradans also suffered severe health issues resulting from significant smoke from these fires. Wildfire smoke causes serious disorders including eye and respiratory tract infections, reduction of lung function, bronchitis, exacerbation of asthma, and even premature death. Catastrophic wildfires also cause significant damage to the environment. A few years ago, NASA concluded that one catastrophic wildfire can emit more carbon emissions in just a few days than all vehicle emissions in an entire State over the course of an entire year. Decades of mismanagement have left our Nation's Federal lands vulnerable to insects and disease and ripe for a catastrophic wildfires.…”