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Congressman Tom McClintock

Representing the 4th District of California

Forest Fire

More on Forest Fire

Our Forests Tragedy

September 23, 2020 Speeches
Last week, President Trump came to California to be briefed on the horrific fires now raging in California. Instead, he got a lecture from Governor Newsom and his staff on climate change.

Lake Tahoe Summit - Remarks

August 25, 2020 Speeches

It was great to be a part of the 24th annual Lake Tahoe Summit held on August 25th, 2020. A resilient Tahoe requires resilient forests – and resilient forests require active scientific management.

Four years ago, a bi-partisan effort achieved an important milestone toward that goal. We got a categorical exclusion from the National Environmental Policy act that streamlines forest management projects here in the Basin for fuel reduction.

Speech in Opposition to HR 2546 – Wilderness Package

February 12, 2020 Speeches
Speech in Opposition to HR 2546 – Wilderness Package
February 12, 2020
 
Mr. Speaker:
 
We set three objectives for our federal lands policy when Republicans were in the majority:
 
o To restore public access to the public lands
o To restore good management to the public lands
o To restore the federal government as a good neighbor to those communities impacted by the public lands.
 

Remarks In Support of Mechanized Fire Mitigation - Motion to Recommit - HR 2546 Wilderness Package

February 12, 2020 Speeches
In Support of the Motion to Re-Commit
HR 2546 Wilderness Package
February 12, 2020
 
Mr. Speaker:
 
The question presented in this amendment comes down to this: are we willing to protect our wilderness areas from catastrophic wildfire, or are we content to stand by and watch them burn.
 
The Wilderness Act of 1964 designates lands – quote -- “for the use and enjoyment of the American people IN SUCH MANNER as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness.”

H.R. 266 – Interior Appropriations: No

January 11, 2019 Vote Notes on Legislation
This bill funds Interior and related agencies through the end of the fiscal year. Setting aside the current impasse over border security, the bill is ill-advised on its merits. It plusses up almost every request made by the administration, with the notable exception of PILT funding that compensates rural communities that are slammed by excessive federal ownership of land in their jurisdictions. It reduces funds approved by the Republican House last year for hazardous fuels reduction, national park maintenance, and water infrastructure...

Statement in Response to President Trump’s Threat to Withhold FEMA Funds From California

January 9, 2019 Press Release
The President is absolutely correct that poor forest management has condemned our forests to morbid overcrowding and ultimately catastrophic wildfire. However, the principal blame for California’s wildfires lies with federal agencies and laws which govern most of our state’s forests and brushlands. Laws like the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act, which have made scientific forest management endlessly time consuming and ultimately cost prohibitive...

McClintock Letter Calls for State-Wide Federal Assistance for California Fires

August 11, 2018 Press Release

U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock, CA-04, joined by 13 California members of the House of Representatives called on President Trump to continue to provide federal assistance for fire suppression and recovery.

“For the state of California to endure these catastrophic wildfires, it is going to take your continued leadership and support,” the letter to the President said. “We stand ready to assist you in expediting federal support to impacted communities.” A copy of the letter is attached.

Resilient Federal Forests Act

November 1, 2017 Speeches
Forty-five years ago, Congress enacted laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, that promised to improve the health of our forests. They imposed what have become endlessly time-consuming and ultimately cost-prohibitive restrictions on our ability to properly manage our national forests so that we can match the tree density with the ability of the land to support it. After 45 years of experience with these laws, I think we’re entitled to ask, “How are the forests doing?” The answer is damning.

“We Are Running Out of Forests to Save”

October 3, 2017 Speeches
I want to thank Chairman Gosar of the Western Caucus for arranging this special order tonight. The wildfire crisis facing our forests across the West comes down to a simple adage. Excess timber comes out of the forest one way or the other. It is either carried out, or it burns out. But it comes out.

Lake Tahoe Summit

August 22, 2017 Speeches
First, I want to thank Senator Feinstein for restoring the bi-partisan nature of this annual Tahoe Summit. Lincoln once reminded us “that we can succeed only by concert.” We demonstrated that maxim with the enactment of the Tahoe provisions in the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act last December. That wouldn’t have been possible without Republicans and Democrats coming together in Washington.