Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) are celebrating the Senate's passage of their Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act (WEPA).
A History of the Bill
Sens. Gallego and Kelly introduced the bill in late July with Senators John Curtis (R-UT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Boozman (R-AR), and Alex Padilla (D-CA), which restricts federal red tape surrounding states' wildfire prevention tactics, especially prescribed burns.
In September, WEPA unanimously passed out of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Last week, it similarly cleared the full Senate with unanimous consent.
What Gallego and Kelly are Saying
"Prescribed burns are essential to protecting millions of Americans who are threatened by wildfires each year, including in many communities across Arizona," Sen. Gallego said in a press release, adding, "I urge the House to take up this common-sense bill and send it to the President's desk."
Similarly, Sen. Kelly said, "Arizona communities know how much damage catastrophic wildfires can do, and we need to do everything we can to reduce that risk before a fire starts. Prescribed burns are a proven way to clear out dangerous fuels and keep our forests and communities safer. I look forward to getting it across the finish line."
Other Successes
The same week, Gallego's Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act also passed the Senate, and the Arizona Senator called upon House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to recall the House and pass it.
"I'm proud to work alongside my colleagues in the Senate to get this bill passed. I urge Speaker Johnson to bring the House back to D.C. from their prolonged vacation to quickly send this bill to the president's desk for signage," Gallego previously stated.
Speaker Johnson adjourned the House ahead of the midterms to let Republicans campaign, which drew criticism from Democrats, who accused the GOP of running a "do-nothing Congress."
