A resolution observing the 1-year anniversary of the 2025 Southern California wildfires.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 980
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-07: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-07T20:54:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H. Res. 980
Purpose of the Legislation
This resolution marks the one-year anniversary of the wildfires that began on January 7, 2025, in Southern California. It serves to recognize the events, honor those affected, and express ongoing support for recovery efforts without creating new legal requirements.
Key Provisions Outlined
- The resolution includes background statements describing the wildfires' start in Los Angeles County and nearby areas, driven by strong winds and dry conditions.
- It details the scale of the damage, including nearly 60,000 acres burned, 31 deaths, over 16,000 structures destroyed, and more than 200,000 people displaced, with the Palisades and Eaton fires as the largest.
- Additional points note the impact on homes, schools, businesses, and neighborhoods; the high financial costs; the deployment of over 7,500 firefighters and first responders from multiple states, federal agencies, Canada, Mexico, and Tribal nations; and the role of volunteers and public support.
- The main actions called for are to honor those who died, commend the bravery of first responders, and affirm commitment to aiding rebuilding in affected communities like Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
- It emphasizes the need for continued coordination among federal, state, and local authorities to provide relief.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
This measure introduces no changes to existing law, as it is a non-binding resolution rather than a bill that amends statutes or creates new regulations.
Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations
- Government agencies: It encourages ongoing coordination between federal, state, and local entities for disaster relief, though it does not mandate specific actions or funding.
- Citizens: The resolution may raise awareness and signal congressional support for recovery in Southern California communities, potentially aiding access to existing aid programs.
- International relations: It recognizes assistance from Canada, Mexico, and Tribal nations in the response, highlighting cross-border and intergovernmental cooperation during the event.
Main Stakeholders Affected by This Legislation
- Residents and communities in Southern California, particularly those in Los Angeles County areas such as Pacific Palisades and Altadena who suffered losses.
- First responders, firefighters, and volunteers involved in the response.
- Federal, state, and local government authorities responsible for disaster management and rebuilding.
- The U.S. House of Representatives, as the body adopting the resolution.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- As a House resolution, it carries no legal force and serves mainly as an expression of sentiment, consistent with Congress's authority to issue such statements.
- It has no constitutional conflicts, as it does not alter rights or powers under the Constitution.
- Politically, it reflects congressional attention to natural disaster recovery and may influence future discussions on federal support for wildfire-affected regions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (42)
Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-33], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Liccardo, Sam T. [D-CA-16], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-11], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-07: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2026-01-07: Submitted in House
- 2026-01-07: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- A resolution observing the 1-year anniversary of the 2025 Southern California wildfires. — issued 2026-01-07 — PDF (3 pages)