This week I joined Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and Representative Russ Fulcher in cosponsoring the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023. The legislation was introduced in both chambers of Congress and would create a Clean Water Act exemption for federal, state, local, and tribal firefighting agencies to use fire retardant to fight wildfires.

Currently, the Forest Service and other agencies are operating under the assumption that a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is not required for the use of fire retardant due to existing regulations and prior communications from the EPA that indicated a permit is not required.

Unfortunately, despite fire retardant’s long use as a safe, legal, and critical tool for suppressing wildfires, its use is under threat for the current and future fire seasons due to pending litigation. This bill would ensure it is available for protecting firefighters, families, and infrastructure in forested communities.

In the midst of one of the worst security and humanitarian crises at our southern border, President Biden’s budget would cut funding for the Department of Homeland Security by $600 million. Failing to adequately fund border security leaves Americans vulnerable to crime and drugs pouring into our country. 

As Chairman of the House Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee, I remain committed to playing a part in crafting a responsible budget that successfully meets America’s needs and contributes to the long-term safety of our country. 

Since President Biden took office, Americans have struggled with rising energy costs and soaring prices at the pump. The House Republicans' Commitment to America is to make America energy independent again and to reduce the burden of high energy costs for American families. 

I have grown deeply concerned about the fact that the United States is far too reliant on unfriendly foreign nations for the energy resources we need to fuel our economy. H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, will provide much needed permitting reform to streamline the building of energy infrastructure, and reduce the red tape to promote the processing of critical minerals, and ultimately boost domestic energy production.