Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Congressional Western Caucus, led by Chair Celeste Maloy (UT-02) and Executive Vice Chair Nick Begich (AK-AL), unanimously voted to formally endorse H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, which was introduced by Vice Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and previously passed out of the House of Representatives in January 2025 with the support of every member of the Western Caucus.

After the unanimous decision was reached, leaders of the Caucus and House Committees with jurisdiction over the Fix Our Forests Act, released the following statements:

”Across America, our forests are burning while the clock is ticking. Every season of delay means more devastation, more communities at risk, and more land lost. Fix Our Forests is a solution with broad support. We can’t wait while the forests burn,” said Chair Celeste Maloy. 

“Healthy forests require active stewardship, and that stewardship means we must find effective ways to strengthen wildfire prevention. The Fix Our Forests Act delivers the practical reforms needed to reduce wildfire risk and improve active forest management through timely restoration projects and proactive mitigation efforts. I am proud to support this legislation and the Western Caucus’ commitment to advancing practical wildfire solutions,” said Executive Vice Chair Nick Begich.

“The West is on fire, and Congress must act now. The Congressional Western Caucus’s endorsement of the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act sends a clear and decisive message: send this bill to the President’s desk. I commend Western Caucus Chair Maloy for her leadership on this issue,” said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman.

”As we experience a catastrophic fire season and an overall trend of mill closures across the country, rural communities nationwide need bipartisan, common-sense legislation to mitigate the crisis in our forests. The Fix Our Forests Act provides us with the opportunity to prioritize high-risk fire sheds, streamline environmental review and permitting, and expand stewardship contracting and Good Neighbor Authority,” said House Agriculture Chairman Glenn Thompson.

You can find more information on H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act on the House Natural Resources Committee website, here.