The publication is reproduced in full below:
REINTRODUCTION OF THE MILITARY SUPPORT FOR FIGHTING WILDFIRES ACT
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HON. JOHN GARAMENDI
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, today I reintroduce the ``Military Support for Fighting Wildfires Act'' with Representatives Panetta (D-CA), Scanlon (D-PA), Schiff (D-CA), Jacobs (D-CA), and Carbajal (D-CA) as original cosponsors.
As California and other western states face increasingly severe and frequent wildfires due to the climate crisis, we need all the help we can get from our federal government. My comprehensive ``Military Support for Fighting Wildfires Act'' would improve the American military's support for civilian emergency response to wildfires and similar natural disasters. It would also provide permanent Congressional authorization for the California Air National Guard's
``FireGuard'' program, in partnership with the U.S. Air Force and the National Geospatial-lntelligence Agency.
The James M. lnhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263) included provisions from my bill (H.R. 5560) last Congress extending the National Guard's Fireguard program until 2029; requiring the U.S. Department of Defense to budget for extreme weather events linked to climate change; directing the National Guard to consult with the National lnteragency Fire Center when training for domestic emergency response to wildfires; and requiring an updated interagency review of the U.S. Air Force and National Guard's existing legal authorities to respond to domestic wildfires. The White House Office of Management and Budget last completed such a review in 2004.
The FY2023 NOAA also enacted my bill section authorizing the Department of Defense to transfer excess aircraft to other federal departments for search and rescue or emergency operations related to wildfires. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced my bill section as the bipartisan ``Emergency Aircraft Act of 2022'' (S. 4672) last Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with you and other members of the California delegation to advance these remaining reforms included in my ``Military Support for Fighting Wildfires Act.'' As ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, I plan to make this a top priority for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 38
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