Dear Neighbor,
This past week, I was in Washington working on a bipartisan plan that prioritizes the needs of Coloradans, keeps the government running, and supports hard-working families across the country. With just eight days until government funding expires, rest assured we are working tirelessly to ensure veterans, seniors, first responders, and many others receive the support they deserve.
One pressing issue I want to highlight is the treatment of our federal wildland firefighters. If Congress doesn't act by the end of the month, these brave first responders will face a steep pay cut.
As you may know, in 2021 I fought hard to secure a temporary pay increase for these firefighters through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Now, it is crucial that we make this adjustment permanent. That’s why, as House Assistant Minority Leader, I recently led an effort, alongside many of my colleagues, to urge Congress to come together and ensure wildland firefighters receive the pay they deserve.
I also introduced a package of bipartisan bills that ensure those impacted by wildfires receive the assistance they require at the speed they deserve. Mitigation and response and recovery go hand in hand, and our three new bills will help to equip homeowners, small business owners, and individuals with the foundational tools required to rebuild their lives after a disaster.
Read more about our bipartisan bills to simplify disaster recovery HERE.
When it comes to supporting our firefighters and tackling western wildfires, the stakes are simply too high for us to ignore these issues — and I’ll continue working with members from both sides of the aisle to take action.
Watch my remarks on the need to enact permanent pay increases for federal wildland firefighters below!