California lawmakers are calling for unity amid the historic Los Angeles wildfires, while at least one lawmaker sent a letter to Congress calling for a federal investigation into Sacramento's fire safety and environmental policies.
Republican lawmakers also said at a news conference Monday that any talks about the gavel in a special session with the express purpose of strengthening the state against President-elect Trump should be scrapped.
Rep. Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) said he is writing to incoming members of the Trump administration and top oversight officials, saying Sacramento city officials have no intention of “revealing the truth” about the fires. suggested.
DeMaio said tragedies like the wildfires are rare issues that can unite Republicans and Democrats, adding that Californians “are united in wishing these communities the best for a speedy recovery.” “I have,” he added.
Los Angeles area residents need phone numbers and how to get help.
A helicopter sprays water on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon in Los Angeles, Saturday, January 11, 2025. (Etienne Laurent)
“But I also believe that Californians are also united on the very important issue of responsibility. Why weren't we better prepared for this disaster? I have that doubt.”
DeMaio said the special session should include oversight hearings on questions he says Gov. Gavin Newsom hasn't adequately answered.
“He was given [questioners] “This is nothing short of evasive and frankly dishonest,” DeMaio said. “If we leave the investigation in the hands of Governor Gavin Newsom and other state and local politicians, I don't think we'll ever get to the truth.” insisted.
DeMaio asked Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer ( He said he sent two letters to the state of Kentucky.
The plan also calls for President-elect Trump to sign an executive order calling on federal authorities to investigate California's lack of forest management, maintenance of public lands, and inadequate water supply and infrastructure in fire-ravaged areas. It added.
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assemble. carl demaio (CQ/Getty)
Lawmakers also slammed insurance companies, warning that the state's insurance market could collapse if changes are not made as coverage is cut and private companies leave the state.
Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher, R-Yuba City, noted his district survived the 2019 Paradise Fire and expressed his caucus' condolences and support to those dealing with the crisis in Los Angeles. did.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the community members and first responders who are doing God's work by fighting these fires as we speak. We are praying for the safety of our people. We want to make sure we're doing everything we can to help people recover,” Gallagher said.
”[W]”More needs to be done to combat and prevent catastrophic wildfires in our state,” he said, adding that both wildfire prevention and state insurance market issues need to be addressed in the special legislative session. He added that there is.
Gallagher said he and other lawmakers fought for $1 billion in funding for these issues in 2021, but spending has since been slashed.
“We are calling for immediate action to not only ensure these communities can recover from this disaster, but also to make our state stronger and more resilient to devastating wildfires. We also want real solutions that help.”
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DeMaio, Gallagher and Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) also expressed concerns about the state's insurance market.
Mr. Grove listed more than a dozen insurance companies that he said had stopped offering homeowners insurance in California, restricted renewals or exited the state's market.
He noted that homeowners cannot obtain or refinance their mortgages without proof of insurance, and added, “We will permanently eliminate red tape and provide clean-up services for all Californians affected by the wildfires. He called for “speeding up recovery and reconstruction.”
Newsom has reportedly proposed $2.5 billion in additional funding for emergency response and preparedness.
Rep. Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) said seven of California's 15 deadliest wildfires have occurred in the past 10 years, and little seems to have changed in preparedness. said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom. (Getty)
Former Republican Gov. Pete Wilson reopened the Santa Monica Freeway just 66 days after it collapsed in the 1994 earthquake, she said.
Under Newsom, CalFIRE's ranks and budget have both nearly doubled, to nearly 11,000 members and $3.8 billion. The state's forest management budget also increased under the potential 2028 presidential candidate.
In a tweet denying Republican claims about cuts to fire protection funding, Mr. Newsom's press office said, “This was an intentional effort that began with one-time supplemental funding in response to the horrific fires of 2019/2020.” He tweeted that he had presented “misleading iconography.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom, as well as members of Congress during the Trump administration and Comer, for responses to DiMaio's letter.
