{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://gianforte.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/gianforte-secures-wildfire-disaster-aid-montana", "Gianforte Secures Wildfire Disaster Aid for Montana", "2017-10-12", "2017", "2017-10", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Greg Gianforte", "G000584", "gianforte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. House of Representatives voted today to provide $36.5 billion for urgent, short-term recovery needs from recent natural disasters. The funding package includes $576.5 million for wildfires, including fire suppression as well as relief and recovery needs.\nThe emergency relief legislation also provides funding for additional relief and recovery efforts through FEMA\u2019s Disaster Relief Fund.\nMontana Congressman Greg Gianforte has focused Washington\u2019s attention on wildfires in the state, has advocated for relief for Montana, and voted for the legislation.\n\"This year\u2019s destructive wildfires have ravaged Montana, burning nearly 1.25 million acres. I witnessed the devastation firsthand and saw livelihoods threatened, wildlife habitats destroyed, and poor air quality jeopardize the health of Montanans, particularly our children and seniors,\u201d Gianforte said.\n\u201cThe relief package passed today is a good first step as we work to recover and rebuild our communities from this year\u2019s wildfires,\u201d Gianforte said. \u201cWhile this aid is critical to our ongoing efforts, we also need a long-term solution that provides healthier forests and reduces the severity of our wildfires, which is why I will continue to advocate for meaningful forest management reforms.\u201d\nSpeaker Paul Ryan said, \u201cGreg has been a strong advocate for wildfire resources for Montana in the midst of this devastating fire season. He was a leader from the West who helped make sure needed funds were provided for in this package.\u201d\nHouse Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said, \u201cFrom Montana to now California, the west has faced devastating fires this year. Greg has been a fierce advocate for Congress to address the damage to our communities that are reeling from these tragic disasters. Today\u2019s bill passage is an important step to start delivering needed resources to respond, recover, and rebuild each community affected by these fires.\u201d\nGianforte has worked to draw Washington\u2019s attention to wildfires in Montana.\nAfter concluding his tour of Montana\u2019s 56 counties and visiting five wildfire sites throughout the state, Gianforte alerted his colleagues about what Montanans faced from the House floor. Pointing to an image of a wildfire approaching Lolo, Gianforte said, \u201cI hope this image and the others from back home will make my colleagues more aware of the fires\u2019 devastation and the need for relief in the Treasure State.\u201d\nVideo of Gianforte\u2019s floor statement in early September may be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://gianforte.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/gianforte-secures-wildfire-disaster-aid-montana"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8177380077540874, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}