[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 101 (Thursday, June 12, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2660-H2661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          WILDFIRES IN OREGON

  (Ms. Bonamici of Oregon was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to a crisis 
in the American West and across the country. Extreme wildfires now 
ravage my home State of Oregon every summer, and the threat is growing. 
I am here today to speak out against cuts to programs that support 
wildland firefighters and their frontline crews.
  For years now, American families in the Pacific Northwest have lived 
on the edge, wondering if this will be the year they are forced to flee 
their homes at night with only their children, their pets, and whatever 
few mementos they can frantically grab in the moments after the 
evacuation alert.
  I have spoken with Oregonians who lost everything in the blink of an 
eye; homes, family heirlooms, beloved pets, and, tragically, family 
members.

                              {time}  1030

  I have spoken with people who demonstrate extraordinary bravery and 
step into the line of duty as wildland firefighters, sacrificing their 
safety to protect their neighbors and their communities.
  The 2020 Labor Day fires were the most destructive in our State's 
history. Mr. Speaker, 1.4 million acres burned. More than 4,000 homes 
were destroyed, and at least nine people died. Smoke filled the air for 
days throughout the region.
  Last year, Oregon saw 1.9 million acres burn, setting a new record.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to set aside political differences 
on this issue because the danger is spreading. Wildfire season now 
stretches for much of the year. That threat has reached States that 
never expected to see megafires. From the scorched hills of Hawaii to 
smoke-filled skies in New York, this is no longer just a Western States 
problem. It is a national emergency.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please listen to the American 
West when we say that this is a crisis that will kill thousands more 
until we act. Let's work together on real solutions, like investing in 
wildfire preparedness and providing better pay and benefits for 
wildland firefighters.
  The administration's current plan of slashing volunteer wildfire 
crews is a disingenuous attempt to cut costs. It is shortsighted and 
will cause more loss of property and lives.
  I stand ready to work with anyone who is willing to take this threat 
seriously.


           Funding Citizenship and Assimilation Grant Program

  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out against the 
weaponization of our Federal Government and the Trump administration's 
actions to distort agency missions and cancel valuable grant programs.
  In March and again in April, I wrote to the U.S. Citizenship and 
Immigration Services, USCIS, at the Department of Homeland Security 
regarding a decision they made to abruptly cut funding for the 
Citizenship and Assimilation Grant Program.
  The Immigration and Nationality Act established USCIS to administer 
immigration benefits and citizenship programs. USCIS oversees lawful 
immigration into the United States and provides services, including 
determining eligibility for citizenship, verifying employment 
eligibility, administering humanitarian programs, and promoting 
instruction and training on citizenship rights and responsibilities.
  As I wrote in my letter to the USCIS, the Citizenship and 
Assimilation Grant

[[Page H2661]]

Program furthers this mission by providing grant funding to 
organizations that support eligible, lawful permanent residents with 
the U.S. citizenship application process, civics instruction, and other 
services to help prepare for naturalization.
  If my colleagues haven't been to a naturalization ceremony, I 
encourage everyone to do this. These are the types of people we want to 
be U.S. citizens.
  In response to my letter, USCIS Acting Deputy Director Kika Scott 
tried to justify the decision to cancel this program by stating that it 
no longer effectuates the agency's priorities. That is unacceptable and 
a frustrating explanation.
  First, we frequently hear from our colleagues across the aisle who 
say that people need to come here legally. As I said, this is a program 
that helps eligible, legal permanent residents with the U.S. 
citizenship process.
  Second, Congress already appropriated this funding, so it is illegal 
and unconstitutional for the administration to block the grant funding 
just because a President doesn't like immigrants and is doing 
everything in his power to vilify them.
  The United States was built by people who came to this country to 
seek a better life for themselves and their families. This thoughtless 
decision is an abuse of power and just one more example of how the 
Trump administration is scapegoating immigrants.
  Today, during Immigrant Heritage Month, I am, once again, calling on 
USCIS to reinstate the remainder of the canceled grant awards that 
helped refugees and other aspiring Americans who came to the United 
States through legal pathways to assimilate and contribute positively 
to our vibrant communities and the economy.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bost). Members are reminded to refrain 
from engaging in personalities toward the President.

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