Letter to the Hon. Jon Tester, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and the Hon. Richard Shelby, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense - Rosen Joins Bipartisan Push to Provide Robust Funding for National Guard Firefighting Efforts in Western United States

Letter

Dear Chairman Tester and Vice Chairman Shelby,

We write to urge you to provide robust funding for the National Guard to support firefighting efforts in communities across the nation, particularly in the West, affected by wildfires in the Fiscal Year 2022 Defense Appropriations bill.

In 2020, the West experienced severe drought, which resulted in some of the driest conditions on record. More than 50,000 fires burned 10 million acres with fires lasting well into the fall, destroying homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Throughout the summer and fall, National Guard members proved to be pivotal firefighting forces across the West.

As the country struggles to adapt to longer and more severe wildfire seasons, additional resources to train members of the National Guard is critical. Guard members must have the appropriate training and equipment to fulfill their missions and this funding is critical to ensure they are properly prepared.

As you develop the FY2022 Defense Appropriations bill, robust funding for wildfire training is critical to the National Guard's ability to protect communities from wildfires.

Thank you for considering this request.

Sincerely,