Simpson Remarks at FY25 Budget Hearing For U.S. Forest Service (As Prepared)

Apr 16, 2024

Statements

The committee will come to order.

Good morning and thank you to Chief Moore for being here today to testify on the Forest Service's fiscal year 2025 budget request.

At last year's hearing, we were lucky to be joined by a bird of prey that frequents our national forests-a bald eagle. I think we all enjoyed hearing from the Peregrine Fund about the work they do to conserve bald eagles and other critical species.

As a lifelong Idahoan, I have seen firsthand how catastrophic wildfires can affect these birds and their habitats, much like the devastating toll fires take on communities across the country, other natural resources, and infrastructure.

I have also seen where preventative measures and sound management practices dramatically decrease the cost of a fire season, both in terms of taxpayer dollars and lives and property lost. We must give our forest managers the tools and the authority to properly manage our federal lands.

Given these widespread impacts, I am sure wildfires, their root causes, and forest management practices will be a focus of the Members' questions today.

For FY25, the President's request asks for $6.5 billion for the Forest Service, an increase of $458 million above the FY24 enacted level, approximately a 7.5 percent increase.

Notably, the budget proposes shifting over $1.3 billion for wildfire preparedness, suppression, and salaries from base discretionary to emergency funding.

I have strong concerns about repeating the budgetary gimmicks that Congress just rectified in the FY24 bill, so I look forward to discussing the Forest Service's decision to propose this change.

I was glad to see the Forest Service budget continues to prioritize compensation for wildland firefighters, wildland fire risk management, and access to all the resources our public lands have to offer.

As many of my colleagues may know, the Infrastructure bill provided a base pay supplement to wildland firefighters. Since those funds have run out, the uncertainty of competitive pay has created challenges in hiring and maintaining a federal firefighting force.

In FY24, this Committee fought hard to provide funding and authority for the Forest Service to continue firefighter pay at the level provided by the Infrastructure bill.

Forest Service and Department of the Interior wildland firefighters risk their lives to protect our communities and deserve the stability of permanent pay reform. I am pleased the administration recognizes the important work of wildland firefighters and is continuing its efforts to address these issues.

Before closing, I'd like to note that I genuinely enjoy working with the Forest Service employees in Idaho's region and across the country, and I value the important jobs they carry out.

Chief Moore, your leadership of the Forest Service is vital to our public lands and communities across the country. Thank you again for joining us this morning, I look forward to our discussion and continuing to work with you.

Now, I'd like to yield to Ranking Member Pingree for her opening statement.