Statement record

Ed Markey — Jun 8, 2023

U.S. Senator (D-MA) · Jun 8, 2023

June 8, 2023 Senate floor: Markey spoke as Canadian wildfire smoke blanketed the Northeast and D.C. He asked when New York or Philadelphia last experienced smoke "of this magnitude," said climate change made the pattern "more frequent and more intense," and declared: "This isn't just a forest fire. This is a climate fire because our entire climate is on fire." (Congressional Record Jun 8, 2023; Politico coverage.)

Analysis notes

Core senator. Event + climate yes. Strongest climate-fire framing in the in-window set.

Codes

Disaster Mention yes — Canadian smoke / Northeast air quality.
Climate Connection yes — "Climate fire" framing tied to cross-border smoke.
Mentioned Republican Obstruction of Climate Action no