CALIFORNIANS DESERVE THE SAME DISASTER RELIEF WITHOUT ANY POLITICAL STRINGS ATTACHED

CALIFORNIANS DESERVE THE SAME DISASTER RELIEF WITHOUT ANY POLITICAL STRINGS ATTACHED

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 9 (Thursday, January 16, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 9 (Thursday, January 16, 2025)] [House] [Pages H189-H190] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CALIFORNIANS DESERVE THE SAME DISASTER RELIEF WITHOUT ANY POLITICAL STRINGS ATTACHED (Mr. TRAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. TRAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my deepest sympathies to the residents of Los Angeles County and Ventura County who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires in southern California. I deeply appreciate the firefighters, first responders, and local leaders who have been working tirelessly to battle these fires. I was proud to join bipartisan Members of the California delegation in urging President Biden to grant a major disaster declaration for our State. These funds are urgently needed to help families that have lost everything in the wake of these wildfires. I am truly appalled that some in Congress are seeking to impose political conditions on aid for wildfire victims in their time of need. It is cruel, and it is just not right. What is more, I am here to remind all of my colleagues that California contributes far more in Federal tax revenue than it receives back in spending. Mr. Speaker, in times of crisis, my home State has always been there to support other States unconditionally. Californians deserve the same disaster [[Page H190]] relief without any political strings attached. Time is of the essence. ____________________