[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 126 (Monday, August 3, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S4405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Washington Wildfires

  Madam President, I can't come to the Senate floor without 
acknowledging the heartbreaking devastation we are seeing in Spokane 
and across Eastern Washington. My heart is with everyone who is 
affected by these horrific fires, and please know I will keep doing all 
I can to make sure the Federal Government steps up.
  This short-term funding bill importantly includes flexibility for the 
Disaster Relief Fund so it can serve our communities in need during the 
CR.
  I am glad FEMA has so far approved the FMAG requests our local 
officials have made as they are fighting these wildfires. And last 
night, our Governor made a formal request to the President for an 
expedited emergency declaration. I am leading our entire congressional 
delegation, Democrats and Republicans, in urging the President to 
approve that request immediately.
  I do want to say how grateful I am to the fire crews and first 
responders who are working around the clock to save lives and property 
and how inspired I am by the way the Spokane community has come 
together to support those who have lost their homes or are under 
evacuation orders.
  I will have far more to say on this crisis, but let me close with 
this: As the vice chair of the Appropriations Committee and a voice for 
Spokane here in the U.S. Senate, I will do everything in my power to 
make certain Eastern Washington gets every cent they need to fight 
these horrific fires and to rebuild and recover over the long term.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant executive clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. TUBERVILLE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.