Political Quotes

“I join my colleagues in noting the magnitude and urgency of this issue. As chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds wildland firefighting, I know firsthand how disruptive this borrowing cycle can be on federal agencies. Public lands states like my home State of Montana are at risk for both ends of the fire disaster when accounts are not repaid quickly. As we work toward a solution, I believe it is important that we work with the Administration and the relevant Congressional Committees such as the Budget Committee. We should also address the very real concern that firefighting costs continue to escalate year after year. Congress needs to better understand why costs per acre continue to rise and how we can reverse that cycle. Efforts by the Wildland Fire Leadership Council and their current review of firefighting costs can help us with this challenge and we can use their knowledge as a foundation for our future policy decisions.”