Ranking Member Pingree Statement at Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request for the United States Forest Service Hearing

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Ranking Member of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Subcommittee's hearing on the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the United States Forest Service:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chief Moore, thank you for being with us this morning. We are pleased to talk with you today and hear your thoughts on the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Forest Service.

I am pleased to see that this budget request builds on the historic investments made in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to improve the resilience of landscapes, reduce wildfire risks, and conduct reforestation of impacted landscapes.

And I am very supportive of the administration's commitment to supporting wildland firefighters and their families through better compensation, safe housing, and by providing the health and well-being assistance.

Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Congress provided $600 million to support federal wildland firefighters and ensure they receive a minimum of $15 per hour.

Your budget continues and expands these pay reforms to provide equitable competitive compensation. This is essential to improving firefighter recruitment and retention, and I support your efforts.

The budget also includes investments for climate science and the promotion of healthy forests.

Combatting climate change and protecting communities from the threat of wildfire go hand in hand. Healthy forests are a crucial part of our fight against climate change through long-term carbon sequestration. Yet, one of the largest obstacles is the increase of high-intensity wildfires which are affecting our landscapes.

So, I am interested to hear from you today about how your proposed investments in activities like hazardous fuel reduction and burned area rehabilitation fit into the Forest Service's 10-Year Wildfire Crisis Strategy to benefit forest health.

I look forward to discussing the impact these investments will have and where any gaps in our response may still remain.

Thank you again for being with us today. I yield back.