Politics
Sen. Adam Schiff Attempts to Lift Federal Firefighter Hiring Freeze
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — An amendment proposed by Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., seeking to exempt federal firefighters from a hiring freeze imposed by the Trump administration failed to advance in the Senate on Wednesday. The amendment, aimed at reinstating laid-off firefighters and countering staff shortages during wildfire season, was voted down 52-48, primarily along party lines.
During the Senate discussion, Schiff emphasized the urgent need for seasonal firefighters, citing the devastating wildfires affecting communities across the nation, including in Los Angeles County. “Wildfires don’t discriminate. They hit red states and blue states,” Schiff stated. He critiqued President Trump’s hiring freeze, noting its adverse effects on readiness and wildfire prevention efforts.
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, joined Democrats in voting for the amendment, urging the Senate to prioritize public safety by ensuring adequate firefighting resources. “Our constituents and communities rely on the hard work and sacrifice of our more than 15,000 seasonal federal wildland firefighters each year,” Schiff later wrote in a letter addressed to federal agency officials.
The hiring freeze, implemented by the Trump administration in early 2020, directly impacts thousands of federal firefighters, many of whom are crucial in battling wildfires that have surged in recent years. Schiff’s initiative was part of a broader issue related to federal workforce reductions that have raised concerns among firefighters’ unions and advocates.
In his letter, Schiff expressed alarm over the complete exclusion of federal firefighters from the freeze exemption, calling it detrimental to public safety. “Seasonal firefighters are essential to the public safety of those who live in fire-prone areas,” he explained.
The Forest Service reported a notable decrease in the number of seasonal firefighters due to the freeze, which has left several regions under-resourced during high-risk periods. Advocates assert that reinstating these permits and hiring additional personnel could significantly improve wildfire management efforts.
As wildfires continue to pose a threat, especially in Western states, the failure of Schiff’s amendment highlights ongoing partisan divides over environmental safety and federal employment policies. With historical precedence showing summer months as peak wildfire seasons, politicians and environmentalists alike stress the necessity of a fully staffed and prepared firefighting force.
Despite the setback, Schiff vowed to continue advocating for the essential services federal firefighters provide, urging Congress to reconsider the implications of workforce cuts in crucial safety sectors.