Congresswoman Luz Rivas Delivers First Speech on House Floor Supporting Southern California Wildfire Victims, Emphasizing Need for Aid Without Conditions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) delivered her first speech on the House floor to talk about the ongoing wildfires in Southern California, the resiliency of Los Angeles, and the federal resources available to help constituents rebuild in the aftermath.
Click here to watch Rep. Rivas’ remarks.
Rep. Rivas’ remarks as prepared:
M. Speaker, just five days into my tenure as a Member of the House of Representatives, several large wildfires broke out across Los Angeles County: the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire, and the Hurst Fire, which broke out in Sylmar on the northern end of my district.
I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to represent it in Congress.
The Valley is a special place to so many people, including my own family, which makes the heartbreak of seeing images of it in danger sting deeper.
I flew home last week as soon as I saw the harrowing images and footage coming out of Los Angeles County to be home with my community and helpful in any way that I can.
I have immense gratitude the community and I have for the Los Angeles Fire Department, the first responders, and the fire fighters who arrived from across the country and from Mexico who have been working non-stop to put out these fires.
I met with community leaders, including the brave men and women of Fire Station 87 in Granada Hills. Because of their bravery, courage, and action in responding to the Hurst Fire, they were able to minimize damage and keep our neighbors safe.
Our community thanks them.
I also visited one of the evacuation centers at the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center to learn more about how staff and volunteers have been working around the clock to help those who were forced to evacuate.
I visited the burn sites of the Hurst and Eaton Fires where I assessed the damage firsthand and tried to get a better understanding of what federal resources would be needed to help communities rebuild.
Throughout the week, I was in contact with the federal government including the White House and FEMA, where I was able to advocate for the federal support necessary to keep constituents safe during the emergency.
My Congressional colleagues and I are focused on making sure our constituents and our communities have what they need to get through, and recover from, this emergency.
This isn’t about party or politics, and I am proud to have joined both of our senators and 46 other bipartisan members of California’s Congressional delegation in urging President Biden to sign a Major Disaster Declaration so the federal government can provide public assistance, individual assistance, and direct federal assistance to our communities.
We are grateful that President Biden quickly signed the Declaration, and my hope is President-elect Trump will continue to provide resources so our constituents can immediately access the funds and resources they need to rebuild their lives.
These fires are the costliest in California’s history and it impacted everyone, regardless of income or party.
Lives and livelihoods have been lost, and many more continue to be in danger. We want our constituents to know that disaster assistance is available, and may include:
- Rental payments for temporary housing for those who lost their homes;
- Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items;
- Unemployment payments for workers who lost their jobs because of the fires; and
- Crisis counseling for those who have been traumatized by the disaster.
Additionally, FEMA disaster assistance may be able to help those who have lost a home, regardless of if they were uninsured, had insurance, or underinsured. Visit DisasterAssistance.gov to get started.
My office is also ready to help those who have been impacted by the fires.
If my constituents need assistance, I encourage them to reach out to my office and we will be able to start advocating on your behalf to get the federal resources you need.
The San Fernando Valley is home, and I’m honored to represent my home in Congress.
That is why I’m committed to working with our local, state, and federal officials to make sure our community has the resources it needs to rebuild stronger.
Our community is strong and resilient, and we will help each other come back from this disaster.
Thank you, and I yield back.
Background:
Congresswoman Luz Rivas’ Wildfire Recovery Guide provides resources that will help constituents who were impacted by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County quickly recover. From FEMA to SBA, the Wildfire Recovery Guide has information that will help constituents navigate the federal resources available to them in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Congresswoman Luz Rivas’ Wildfire Recovery Guide can be found here.
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