Local News Pasadena: On the Fire Anniversary, Chu and Friedman Push Congress to Deliver Lifesaving Relief

On the first anniversary of the Eaton and Palisades Fires, Congressmembers Judy Chu (CA-28) and Laura Friedman (CA-30) spent the day in Washington, DC, representing their district constituents amid the ongoing struggle to deliver lifesaving relief and critical resources from the government.

“One year ago today, our community was forever changed by the Eaton Fire, which became the second most destructive and fifth deadliest wildfire in our state’s history,” said Chu. “It took the lives of 19 of our neighbors, and in the days and weeks that followed, another 440 lives were lost due to delays in medical care and toxic air quality. Nearly 20,000 residents were displaced, and almost 9,500 structures—including 6,000 homes—were reduced to ash. We lost so many beloved community institutions, schools, houses of worship, and places that generations of people have called home.”

“Today, we remember those who lost their lives, homes, and livelihoods in last year’s devastating wildfires across Los Angeles,” said Friedman. “Our community is still healing, one year later. In our darkest hour, Angelenos turned to one another — neighbors, families, and friends — and found strength in our community.”

Both representatives are fighting for Congress to deliver help to their districts. The 30th district takes in all of Burbank and Glendale, the Linda Vista neighborhood of Pasadena, and the Los Angeles communities of Tujunga, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Edendale, Park La Brea, Hancock Park, and Westside Echo Park.  Chu’s district CA-28 includes the cities of Pasadena, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Arcadia, La Cañada Flintridge, Altadena, La Crescenta-Montrose, West San Gabriel Valley, and the San Gabriel foothills.

Chu has introduced H.R. 6842, the Disaster Survivors Tax Relief and Recovery Act, to codify all the tax provisions of Governor Newsom’s disaster supplemental request and especially ensure Eaton Fire survivors are not taxed on disaster settlement payments after the federal exemption expired at the end of 2025, so families can keep the full value of their settlements and use that money to rebuild their homes and lives. Friedman endorses this proposed act as well.

Both representatives have signed letters urging President Trump to immediately send Congress a disaster supplemental request based on Governor Newsom’s $33.9 billion proposal, emphasizing that families cannot afford further delays. 

Chu has also introduced a congressional resolution with Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) to honor the lives lost and underscore the critical need to help our communities rebuild, marking the first anniversary of the fires.

In 2025, President Trump signed into law Chu’s bipartisan bill, the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act (H.R. 517), which delivers critical tax relief to Americans recovering from natural disasters. 

“Greedy businesses should not be able to profit while people are struggling to rebuild,” says Friedman, who has been advocating for her Stop Disaster Price Gouging Act to prevent exploitation seen after disasters. She, too, continues to fight to make sure the federal government, including the previous administration, steps up and delivers the wildfire relief the community deserves.

Friedman has also prioritized keeping an honest and public accounting of what happened before, during, and after the fire, including a full analysis of the response, prevention efforts, and coordination breakdowns, “so we can make sure this never happens again.”