California Wildfires

Floor Speech

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Mr. MIN. Mr. Speaker, my name is Dave Min. I was just elected to represent the 47th Congressional District in Orange County, California, just south of the fires. While we are not affected by these, we are subject to the same fire risks on a year-by-year basis.

What we are seeing right now is a biblical-level disaster in California. The scope of this devastation is unprecedented. Now, as has been mentioned before, is a time when we need to come together, understanding that with climate change we are going to continue seeing biblical-level events going forward.

When we have had past disasters, whether hurricanes in southeastern United States, Florida, the Gulf Coast, tornadoes, flooding, and, yes, wildfires, we have stepped up. The people of southern California have stepped up to help those in need. That is the American way. That is the California way.

What is being proposed right now in tying conditions to aid is un- American. It is despicable. It is pathetic. We have never done this before. I urge my Republican colleagues to think about the precedent they will be setting if they set conditions, political conditions to this aid because the next time a disaster strikes, it could be their district, their area, and they do not want to set this precedent right now. People are struggling. Thousands of firefighters are exhausted. We need your help.

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