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Washington State Lawmakers Push for Federal Emergency Disaster Declaration Following Wildfires

September 17, 2020

Letter follows Governor Inslee’s request for federal emergency disaster declaration to address wildfire destruction in Whitman County that destroyed community of Malden, other areas in Eastern Washington

Members: “Washington state is experiencing an unprecedented wildfire season...these disasters have stretched our state’s wildfire-fighting resources thin and have further devastated communities impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the entire Washington state congressional delegation wrote to President Trump in support of Governor Jay Inslee’s request for a major disaster declaration for the state, as well as public assistance and individual assistance for Whitman County, following unprecedented recent wildfires in Eastern Washington and other areas. Additionally, with major fires continuing to burn across the Pacific Northwest, in the letter the lawmakers also offered support for emergency federal assistance in additional areas in the state impacted by wildfires that have cost lives, destroyed structures, forced thousands of families to evacuate their homes, and caused communities to lose power for extended periods. Led by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA, 5th), the letter was joined by U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D-WA, 9th), Rick Larsen (D-WA, 2nd), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA 3rd), Suzan DelBene (D-WA, 1st), Denny Heck (D-WA, 10th), Derek Kilmer (D-WA, 6th), Dan Newhouse (R-WA, 4th), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA, 7th), and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA, 8th).

“As you know, Washington state is experiencing an unprecedented wildfire season,” the lawmakers wrote. “These disasters have stretched our state’s wildfire-fighting resources thin and have further devastated communities impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.”

“These wildfires have forced the evacuations of thousands of people, threatened 3,000 homes and structures, and deteriorated air quality to hazardous levels. Even more concerning, these numbers are expected to grow as wildfires are still wreaking havoc on our state and acreage burned is approaching levels seen in 2015,” the lawmakers added.

According to the Governor’s office, beginning September 6, 2020, 39 new wildfire starts burned approximately 330,000 acres in the state. This total is more than double the amount of acreage burned in the state last year. In the five-day period between September 7 and 11, an estimated 626,982 acres burned in Washington, which is more acres burned than each of the fire seasons from 2002 to 2019, excluding the devastating 2015 wildfire season. In particular, the town of Malden, a small, rural community in Whitman County, has seen their community reduced to ashes. An estimated 80 percent of homes and other structures in the town—including the town’s only post office, town hall, fire station, food bank, and library—have been destroyed or seriously damaged. At the same time, many Washingtonians impacted by these wildfires are also navigating with the health and economic consequences of the pandemic. Individual and Public Assistance for this town, granted by a federal emergency federal disaster declaration, would provide critical and timely support, particularly for eligible individuals who have evacuated and are unable to return to their homes and community.  

Read the full letter below or HERE.

September 17, 2020

The Honorable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest
Washington, DC  20500 

Dear Mr. President:

We write in support Governor Jay Inslee’s September 16, 2020 request for a declaration of a Major Disaster for the State of Washington and authorization of the Individual Assistance Program and Public Assistance Program, Category B, emergency protective measures including congregate/non-congregate sheltering for Whitman County.

As you know, Washington state is experiencing an unprecedented wildfire season. These disasters have stretched our state’s wildfire-fighting resources thin and have further devastated communities impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Beginning September 6, 2020, 39 new wildfire starts burned approximately 330,000 acres in the state. This total is more than double the amount of acreage burned in the state last year. In the five-day period between September 7 and 11, an estimated 626,982 acres burned in Washington, which is more acres burned than each of the fire seasons from 2002 to 2019, excluding the devastating 2015 wildfire season. These wildfires have forced the evacuations of thousands of people, threatened 3,000 homes and structures, and deteriorated air quality to hazardous levels. Even more concerning, these numbers are expected to grow as wildfires are still wreaking havoc on our state and acreage burned is approaching levels seen in 2015.

In particular, the town of Malden, a small, rural community in Whitman County, has seen their community reduced to ashes. An estimated 80 percent of homes and other structures in the town including the town’s only post office, town hall, fire station, food bank, and library have been destroyed or seriously damaged. Individual and Public Assistance for this town would provide critical support, particularly for eligible individuals who have evacuated and are unable to return to their community.

Therefore, we fully support Governor Inslee’s request for a major disaster declaration statewide as well as Public Assistance and Individual Assistance for Whitman County. Further, with major fires continuing to burn across the state, we fully support any subsequent modifications made by Governor Inslee to extend federal assistance to areas not originally included in this request.

Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely, 

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Rep. Smith Applauds House Passage of Resolution Condemning Anti-Asian Sentiment Related to COVID-19

September 17, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.Res. 908, condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment related to COVID-19:

“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a dramatic increase in reports of hate crimes and racist incidents against those of Asian descent. Recent reports show a total of over 2,500 incidents of discrimination against the Asian Americans and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community across the country, and many more incidents go unheard and unreported.

“Misinformation and racist characterizations about COVID-19 has led to the stigmatization of those of Asian descent based on fear and xenophobia. This puts the wellbeing of our communities and public health at risk. We must remain unified and vigilant to combat this epidemic and uphold our resilient and diverse communities. Across the country, we must stand up and take collective action to quell the widespread anti-Asian American racism amidst this pandemic and beyond.”

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Rep. Smith Applauds Bill Establishing Pregnant Workers’ Rights

September 17, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2694, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act:

“Over 40 years since the passage of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, pregnant workers still face discrimination on the job. As women increasingly become the sole breadwinners in their households and work later into their pregnancies to maintain their family’s financial security, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act establishes a straightforward right to reasonable workplace accommodations for pregnant workers.

“With the COVID-19 pandemic putting women and pregnant people at an increased risk for severe illness, the need for these protections is more important today than ever. This bipartisan bill protects pregnant workers from being denied employment opportunities, retaliated against for requesting reasonable accommodations, or forced to take leave if another reasonable accommodation is available.

“No one should be forced to choose between financial security and a healthy, safe pregnancy. Without clear, strong federal protections, workers and employers are left with an incomplete patchwork of state and local laws that leave many pregnant workers without protections. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act finally secures clear basic fundamental rights for pregnant workers by establishing their right to reasonable accommodation.”

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Rep. Smith Applauds House Passage of First Bills in Decades to Address School Segregation

September 16, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R.2574, the Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act (EIEA), which would restore the right of students and parents to hold schools accountable for discrimination in education, and H.R. 2639, the Strength in Diversity Act, which would support local communities in their efforts to desegregate public schools.

“Public schools are more segregated today than at any time since the 1960s, and our nation’s education system faces widening achievement gaps. Today, the House passed the first bills to address school segregation in roughly three decades which would take meaningful steps toward providing equal educational opportunities for all students and would enable individuals to seek redress when schools engage in discriminatory actions.

“The Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act would restore the rights of victims of educational discrimination, enabling the public to argue for equal protection and opportunity under the law.  I'm also proud to support the Strength in Diversity Act which would help provide students in every school with the same opportunities as those in our best schools. Recent studies have found an alarming trend of socioeconomic and racial segregation amongst K-12 schools. School districts that are willing to take on the challenge of reversing this harmful trend would have access to federal funds to support those efforts. This bill will offer critical federal resources to bolster innovative strategies to increase racial and socioeconomic diversity, helping fulfill the promise of equity in education.”

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Chairman Smith Statement on Trump’s Lack of Respect for the Military

September 5, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s disparaging comments about our service members and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

“The President’s fundamental misunderstanding of the military and his complete disregard for our service members – calling them ‘losers’ and ‘suckers’ repeatedly – are a disgrace to our nation and prove once again that he is incapable of performing the duties of Commander-in-Chief. How can a man obsessed with himself and incapable of empathy, a man who cannot fathom the meaning of sacrifice, possibly lead a nation?

“The President claims he loves the military, because it’s part of his political strategy, but when the mics are off and the cameras are no longer rolling he has shown his true colors. He has no respect for our military; he views our service members as window dressing for his cosplay of the American presidency. Why does he refuse to stand up to Putin for putting bounties on the heads of American and coalition forces? Because he fundamentally does not care about our troops.

“It has been an honor to sit on the Armed Services Committee every year I have served in Congress. The men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedoms reflect the best of our country: they are talented, diverse, and dedicated to the service of their fellow Americans. These brave patriots deserve a President who respects their service and appreciates their dedication. President Trump is obviously incapable of such respect.”

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