Schiff Pushes for Federal Disaster Aid Package to Move Quickly with Bipartisan Support
Washington, D.C. — Today U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the Palisades and Eaton fires:
“One year ago, the lives of thousands of Californians were changed forever. For many of us, remembering the start of two of Los Angeles County’s most devastating wildfires brings back visceral memories of fear, uncertainty, desperation, and loss. These fires took lives and livelihoods, stole homes and the treasured memories they held, razed communities and broke the heart of every Californian along the way. We will never forget all that we lost, in life and treasure, even as we strive every day to rebuild and grow stronger with the memory.
“Today is a day to honor the extraordinary courage of our first responders – the firefighters and emergency personnel who risked their lives to protect the lives of others. Courageous responders who battled the flames with the same determination as if it were their own homes they were working to save – and in some cases it was. Amidst the inferno, neighbors and strangers alike came together to show us the true meaning of community.
“Today is also a day to recommit to the task of rebuilding and speeding along the recovery, even as we work to prevent a repeat of last winter’s disaster. In Congress, I have partnered across the aisle to advance legislation — my first bill in the Senate — that would deliver relief to disaster survivors and provide Californians with tax relief to harden their homes and build back more with more resilience. And I will continue to press for the additional federal aid California needs and deserves to recover fully.
“As survivors and families rebuild, they need the support of Congress and the administration. The survivors and those fighting to rebuild must not be forced to wait any longer. The time for the administration and President to do their part was months ago, after California submitted its reasonable request with bipartisan support.
“But a formal submission to Congress for disaster relief has yet to be made by the White House. Just as the federal government has stepped up to help rebuild after hurricanes, floods, and other deadly disasters in every part of America, we need that same bipartisan action for Los Angeles County, and we need it now. Natural disasters do not discriminate between party, nor should parties discriminate between disasters when Americans are in need of our help. We owe it to the survivors and to the memories of those we lost to act, just as we would for any other natural disaster, anywhere in the country.
“We will fight for our communities and constituents impacted by these tragic fires, every step of the way, today and every day.”
Background:
Taking office just one month before the wildfires ravaged Southern California, Senator Schiff has introduced numerous of pieces of legislation to help communities rebuild, fight for Californians’ access to affordable home insurance, and protect families from the threat of future wildfires. Schiff has also consistently pushed for disaster aid for California.
- The first bill Schiff introduced in the Senate was a bipartisan piece of legislation promoting community resilience to natural disasters through the creation of a new federal tax credit to incentivize home hardening.
- Within months of taking office, he also led bipartisan legislation which passed through the Senate Small Business Committee requiring the Small Business Administration to report monthly on disaster funds available to the public. He has also authored legislation to stabilize prices for homeowners’ insurance and protect homeowners from the increased costs of natural disasters.
- To support rebuilding efforts, Schiff led legislation to assist with mortgage relief for disaster survivors across the country and help alleviate financial hardships.
- Schiff championed bipartisan legislation that would provide tax relief for Los Angeles fire victims through the end of 2026, and a bipartisan proposal to create a new disaster resilience tax credit for communities impacted by wildfires and other natural disasters. He also joined bipartisan legislation to exempt from federal taxes the rebates homeowners receive when protecting their home against natural disasters.
- Schiff has also led multiple calls urging President Trump and senior congressional leadership to provide additional disaster relief funding and resources to help Los Angeles County rebuild after the devastating fires.
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