Senator Murray Vows to Get Spokane and WA Federal Resources for Wildfire Response and Recovery

Murray: "To every family in Spokane and across Eastern Washington who has lost a home, or a business, or a lifetime of memories-hear me: I promise you-I am with you, today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes to rebuild."

Murray: "There is not a single dollar I won't pursue if it means helping Spokane and communities across the state as they rebuild from these devastating fires. Whatever it takes-for as long as it takes."

ICYMI: Senator Murray Leads Entire WA Delegation in Requesting Expedited Emergency Declaration for Devastating Wildfires in Spokane

***WATCH: Senator Murray's remarks***

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the senate floor about the devastating wildfires sweeping through Spokane, Central, and Eastern Washington state, Senator Murray reinforced her commitment to ensuring Spokane and the rest of the state have the federal resources necessary to rebuild and recover after the fires.

Senator Murray's remarks, as delivered, are below:

"M. President, I rise today with a very heavy heart because right now, huge swaths of my state are being confronted by some of the worst fires that we have ever seen.

"This weekend, three fast-moving wildfires exploded across Spokane County. In a matter of hours, entire neighborhoods were told: 'Leave now. This may be your only notice.'

"Over sixty-five thousand people I represent have been forced to evacuate their homes. At least seven hundred homes, businesses, and buildings have been destroyed already. Families are sleeping in the Spokane Convention Center tonight, not knowing whether they even still have a home to go back to. And as of this morning, these fires are still not contained.

"The photos and videos tell a story: Houses reduced to ash. Families embracing outside the burned remains of what they once called a home. It is heartbreaking. Smoke so thick over Spokane that the air itself has become a health hazard.

"To every family in Spokane and across Eastern Washington who has lost a home, or a business, or a lifetime of memories-hear me: I promise you-I am with you, today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes to rebuild.

"And amid this devastation, M. President, I also want this chamber to hear about the extraordinary courage on display in my state right now. Within hours of the evacuation orders, neighbors were opening their doors to strangers. Families who had room to spare simply said: come stay with us. Volunteers worked through the night at the convention center-handing out blankets, serving hot meals, sitting with frightened kids. Local restaurants showed up with food for evacuees and for the fire crews who were coming off the line. Churches and community groups collected clothes, diapers, pet food-whatever people needed, someone in Spokane found a way to provide it.

"Firefighters have been on the lines around the clock-in brutal heat, against dangerous winds. Local fire crews. Crew from across the state. The Washington National Guard, all mobilized within hours. Incident management teams and firefighters who actually came from out of state-all the way from Florida to Alaska. There are even firefighters from Australia and New Zealand!

"Because of them, because of the sheriff's deputies and police officers who went door to door to get people out, because of the emergency managers and dispatchers and shelter volunteers, tens of thousands of people got to safety. These are real life heroes. And on behalf of the people of Washington state: thank you.

"But M. President, gratitude is not enough. The people of Spokane need action-and they deserve to know their government has their back. So, here's where things stand as I see them:

"Our firefighters must have every resource they need to contain these fires-every aircraft, every bit of equipment, every dollar. So far, our state has gotten the resources we need from the federal government and I deeply appreciate that. That's how it should be. Yesterday, I led our Congressional delegation in urging the President to approve the Governor's request for an expedited emergency declaration-the President has approved part of that request. That's good, and I'll be watching closely to ensure the full request is approved.

"The next few days will no doubt be difficult as local fire crews do their best to try and contain these fires.

"Looking ahead, it's important to say Spokane's recovery will not be measured in days or weeks-it will be measured in months and years. Rebuilding homes, rebuilding businesses, it will take a long time, and it will not be easy.

"But as Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I want the people of Eastern Washington to know they have a voice in the United States Senate who will speak up for Spokane. I am not someone who will simply write letters to this administration asking for support.

"I help write the bills that fund the government-across every department and every federal program-and I will make sure Spokane's recovery is a priority at every opportunity. There is not a single dollar I won't pursue if it means helping Spokane and communities across the state as they rebuild from these devastating fires. Whatever it takes-for as long as it takes.

"So, M. President, Spokane has been hurt-and is being badly hurt by these fires. But Spokane is not broken. A community that takes care of each other in the way we've seen cannot be broken. Spokane will rebuild. Eastern Washington will recover. And I will be standing with them every single step of the way.

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