John Barrasso — Jun 8, 2023

← Findings

June 8, 2023 — Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on wildfire strategy, held as Canadian wildfire smoke produced record pollution in Washington, D.C. Ranking member Barrasso said: "It is unsustainable to keep throwing more and more money and resources at suppression without dramatically increasing mitigation. America's wildfire crisis will continue to escalate until our forests are properly managed. Our forests are overgrown and they are unhealthy." He argued for more tree harvesting and active management rather than climate framing. (Colorado Newsline / ENR hearing coverage.)

Codes

• Deflects Blame partial — Mitigation/logging frame vs climate or cross-border smoke drivers.
• Disaster Mention yes — Hearing held during Canadian smoke air-quality emergency.
• Climate Connection no — Forest overgrowth/management frame; no climate attribution.