LaMalfa issues July update: Comments on Park Fire, Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump

Congressman Doug LaMalfa released the following statement, including information on the Park Fire.

According to the statement, LaMalfa said, recently I have met with CalFire and US Forest Service personnel in both Tehama and Butte counties to tour damage and oversee the fight to put out the Park Fire.

The conditions faced in the early days of the fire were terrible and between heat and wind there was little that could be done to stop the fire, yet the hard work on the ground saved many individual homes and structures. During my damage assessment review, it was clear that many who had worked with our fire safe councils to install automated outdoor fire sprinklers and large defensive spaces were more successful in protecting their homes.

California asked for and was quickly approved for a FEMA fire management grant that pays for 75 percent of the cost of fighting the fire and cleared the way for additional fire resources to be deployed. We’ve had more than 5,000 firefighters and support personnel helping to fight this fire. With the FEMA funding an immediate additional 50 engines were deployed and helped save homes. The National Guard is also deploying to help put even more boots on the ground.

Their collective efforts, including those of local agencies and mutual aid partners, have been crucial in managing the fire and working to limit losses. This was a very fast moving, intense fire. I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation for their hard work and commend their efforts. To date we have lost about 200 structures, including many homes and some businesses, which is a tragedy. Butte County has taken the lead in setting up a disaster recovery center for those who faced losses. There fire victims can get help with state funded disaster recovery and non-profits.

Shelly Fire
I also recently had the opportunity to meet with Siskiyou County Sheriff LaRue and the Incident Command Team of Forest Service, CalFire and mutual aid partners for the Shelly Fire at their fire command center. The terrain has been notoriously difficult to navigate, adding an extra layer of complexity to the firefighting efforts. Despite these hurdles, the team has kept the fire relatively small. Their aggressive approach to containment has been instrumental in making significant progress.

As of now, the Shelly Fire is 92 percent contained. This is a testament to the hard work and coordination of everyone involved who were able to keep the fire out of Etna and Fort Jones.

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act
I was pleased to see the House pass H.R. 8281, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. I firmly believe that the right to vote should be reserved exclusively for U.S. citizens. Allowing non-citizens the right to vote undermines our constitutional principles and devalues the votes of American citizens. It’s encouraging to see the House take decisive action to secure our elections at the federal level, especially given the ongoing issues with illegal voter registration in blue states.

Key provisions of H.R. 8281 include
1. Requiring proof of citizenship to register for federal elections.
2. Mandating the removal of non-citizens from state voter databases.
3.  Expanding the private right of action against election officials who register voters without proper proof of citizenship.

By implementing these measures, we aim to reinforce the integrity of our federal elections. Ensuring that only eligible U.S. citizens can participate in the voting process is essential to maintaining public trust in our electoral system. These steps will help ensure that every vote cast is legitimate and meaningful.

This legislation is a significant step toward strengthening our electoral system as a whole. It’s a clear message that we are committed to protecting the rights of American citizens and upholding the principles on which our nation was founded.

As we move forward, I am confident that H.R. 8281 will play a crucial role in safeguarding our electoral process for future generations.  The bill passed the House with my strong support and is now waiting for action in the Senate.

Establishing the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump
I want to address the recent resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, and my vote in favor of H.Res. 1367, which establishes a task force on the attempted assassination of former President Trump.

Calls for Cheatle’s resignation were persistent since the attack on President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. The decisions made by the Secret Service under Cheatle’s direction enabled a shooter to target and injure President Trump. Despite multiple reports of a threat prior to his appearance and the identification of the shooter as a person of interest more than an hour before shots were fired, the Secret Service’s delayed response demonstrated a catastrophic lapse in judgement and protocol.

This breach of duty not only endangered President Trump but also severely undermined public trust in the Secret Service’s ability to protect our nations leaders. During the House Oversight Committee hearing, Cheatle’s failure to provide clear explanations for the significant lapses in security and the decisions that allowed the shooter to operate unchallenged raised further concerns about her leadership. Her resignation was necessary and overdue.

To ensure full accountability and prevent such failures in the future, I voted in favor of H.Res.1367, which establishes a task force to investigate the attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump. This task force is essential for a thorough investigation, with accountability and consequences at every level of the chain of command.

We owe it to the public and to all future elected officials to guarantee their safety through rigorous, transparent, and accountable security measures. Establishing this task force is a significant step in that direction, the time for clarity is now.

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s powerful message to Congress
I want to share my thoughts on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent address to a joint meeting of Congress. Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered a compelling message about the challenges and threats facing Israel and the free world. His unwavering leadership and dedication to Israel’s security are commendable, especially in the face of ongoing attacks by Hamas. The situation of the hostages, both American and Israeli, held by terrorists, highlights Hamas’ continued savagery. We must prioritize their swift return. Netanyahu made it clear that Iran has been financing this entire escalation, a critical point that should not be overlooked.

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech was a call to action for us to remain vigilant and united in supporting Israel. As a member of Congress, I am dedicated to collaborating with my colleagues to ensure we provide the necessary support and resources to our ally. Israel’s security is crucial not just for regional stability but for upholding the values we all cherish.