WASHINGTON, D.C.— Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement after the majority of House Democrats voted down the Motion to Recommit H.R. 266, which would restore House-passed funding levels for wildfire prevention and control programs:
“After one of the deadliest and costliest wildfire seasons on record, House Democrats voted to underfund federal wildfire prevention and mitigation programs over the objections of Republicans. Experts at the Department of the Interior and Forest Service know that preventing an out-of-control wildfire is cheaper and safer than putting one out. While Democrats are talented at inventing new, expensive big-government solutions, they should learn how to prevent a disaster in the first place. Lives, property, and taxpayer money are at stake.”