Progressive Democrat Issue 122: CALIFORNIA FOCUS: California Republicans Oppose Proper Wildfire Management

This comes from the California Democratic Party:

Inland Empire Republicans Vote NO on $500 Million for Wildfire Assistance

Press Memo: May 11, 2007
by Roger Salazar

On Thursday, with wildfires currently raging in California, Georgia, and Florida, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on HR 2207, the Agriculture Disaster Assistance and Western States Emergency Unfinished Business Appropriations Act. The bill would provide California the resources we need to fight wildfires that destroy thousands of homes and businesses, and cause billions in damages every year.

That is why it is staggering that California Republicans representing the Inland Empire in Congress voted NO on the bill yesterday.

Representatives Jerry Lewis, Ed Royce, Howard "Buck" McKeon, Gary Miller, and Ken Calvert all voted no on HR 2207. Apparently these Inland Empire Republicans are opposed to providing California with the resources needed to effectively and safely fight wildfires, even as they rage in our state. These members of Congress have turned a blind eye to the needs of vulnerable communities right in their own backyard.

What the Bill Does:

The measure appropriates a total of $500 million for wildfire management and suppression - $400 million for the Forest Service, part of the Agriculture Department, and $100 million for the Bureau of Land Management, part of the Interior Department. The administration requested no supplemental funding to fight wildfires.


As always I urge you to write your local media and speak out.

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