California Representative Judy Chu, a Democrat, updated on the recovery efforts in Los Angeles after the devastating wildfire earlier this year. She mentioned that officials are doing “as much as they can” to help revive the city.
During an appearance on News Nation’s “The Hill” on Friday evening, Chu talked about the reopening of the Pacific Coast Highway, an 11-mile stretch of road, just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
“The reopening will provide relief to many in the area, but it’s really a boost for all Angelinos and Californians too,” she told host Blake Berman. “It stands as a strong symbol of recovery, and it will also help with transportation.”
The wildfires, particularly two major blazes in the East Palisade and Eton regions, are projected to cause over $50 billion in damages. According to the Associated Press, more than 17,000 homes, businesses, and other structures, including those belonging to celebrities, have been destroyed.
Berman questioned Chu about the more than 600 applications submitted for rebuilding permits shortly after the disaster, mentioning that only 12 have been processed so far.
“How do you feel about the pace of things there?” he asked.
Chu responded, saying she had met with senior LA County officials about these issues, noting their efforts to streamline the permit process.
Having previously represented an area affected by fire, she added, “I believe improvements are on the horizon, and I know they’re working hard on it.”
Chu commended Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and the Army Corps of Engineers for their efforts in debris removal following the fire, stating they’ve significantly reduced the recovery timeline as they responded to numerous complaints.
“They’ve done an outstanding job, and the timeline is now between six and 12 months,” she remarked. “That’s an encouraging step toward rebuilding, though we still need to clear away the debris first.”
Her remarks come as travel experts anticipate record-breaking travel over the holiday weekend, with over 45 million Americans expected to travel between Thursday and Monday. The AAA estimates 45.1 million people will journey at least 50 miles from home during this four-day span, an increase of 1.4 million from last year.
This discussion follows pressure from a group of Republican lawmakers on President Trump to take “immediate and decisive actions” as wildfire season approaches, typically beginning in spring and lasting until late fall.
In December, both parties joined forces to allocate over $100 billion in emergency aid for hurricanes and other disasters, yet funds for wildfire recovery seem to be stalled in Congress.
Trump has attempted to hold Governor Gavin Newsom accountable regarding California’s water supply. Earlier this year, he issued an executive order that allowed federal authorities to bypass state water policies.
He later visited Newsom in Los Angeles—his first official trip after returning to the Oval Office in January—and the two discussed potential cooperation. Newsom subsequently visited the White House in February to talk about recovery efforts.
