Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On The Tragic And Dangerous Wildfires In Southern California

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor on the horrific wildfires affecting Southern California and expressed the critical need to ensure all necessary disaster aid goes out the door as quickly as possible. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Today, our prayers are with the people of Southern California impacted by the wildfires that have spread over the past few days. The images of homes, schools, places of worship burning are terrifying and almost surreal.

I have been briefed on the latest efforts by federal and state officials to contain these fires. Sadly, there is a lot of work left to do before this crisis is over.

Right now, it’s vital that our firefighters and medical workers and first responders have everything they need from the federal government to combat the flames and rescue people from danger. 

The Senate just passed, fortunately, a sweeping disaster aid package precisely for these kinds of emergencies. But now we must ensure all necessary disaster aid goes out the door as quickly as possible, and is given to the people who need it, and need it most.

Finally, the fact that the worst wildfire in Los Angeles history should happen in the dead of winter is another warning of the dangers of climate change. Extreme weather events will continue to happen regularly, and will get worse if we don’t tackle the climate crisis head on.

We pray for the people of Southern California, and we thank all of our brave first responders working without rest to keep people safe.

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