[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 15, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES

  (Mr. MIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  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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