Legislation to promote more thinning of federal forests is set for a vote in the House this week, as congressional Republicans push for quicker action on wildfires.
The House is also looking to fast-track a number of energy and natural resources bills with bipartisan support ahead of the upcoming preelection recess.
Arkansas Republican Rep. Bruce Westerman’s bill, the “Fix Our Forests Act,” H.R. 8790, has support from six Democrats, including its co-author, Rep. Scott Peters of California, making it a good candidate for passage in the Republican-led chamber. But it would face less friendly territory in the Democratic-led Senate, where there’s no companion legislation.
Westerman steered the measure through the House Natural Resources Committee he chairs, on a voice vote in June. He’s said the policies in it are bipartisan, despite the complaints by some Democrats on the committee.
