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Rep. Vince Fong Speaks on House Floor in Support of Fix Our Forests Act

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Today, Rep. Vince Fong (CA-20) spoke in support of the Fix Our Forests Act, emphasizing this bill’s importance to the Central Valley and the wildfires currently plaguing California. This legislation prioritizes proactive forest management to help prevent the massive destruction of wildfires. Soon after Rep. Fong’s remarks, the Fix Our Forests Act passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 279-141.

Read his full speech below or click here to watch his remarks.  

“Thank you Mr. Speaker.

 

I rise today as a cosponsor in support of the critically needed Fix Our Forests Act. As wildfires continue to threaten communities in Southern California, including now a new fire near Castaic that borders my district, it is even more urgent that our nation prioritizes preventing these catastrophic tragedies through proactive forest management. In the past 5 years, my district has seen over 600,000 acres burned by wildfires. I’ve seen the devastation that it leaves behind. Our state has seen millions of acres burned and with preventative forest maintenance, these fires could have been extinguished much sooner and saved countless lives, homes and businesses. These out-of-control megafires need to be greatly mitigated before reaching the point of complete destruction. By expediting environmental reviews and prioritizing active management of our nation’s forested wildlands, it will be critical and essential to saving lives and communities. I am grateful for the leadership from Chairman Westerman, who has traveled and visited the forests in my district. I am grateful to the Natural Resources Committee, and the House, by immediately enacting this bill into law. Time is of the essence to prevent the next catastrophic wildfire.

 

Thank you Mr. Speaker, and I yield back.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JULzx2sEsHg