RELEASE: Congresswoman Friedman Brings Burbank Firefighter President Eric Rowley to Joint Session of Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, March 3, 2025, U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) announced that she will be bringing Eric Rowley, President of Burbank Fire Fighters Local 778, as her guest to President Trump’s Joint Session of Congress. Rowley represents the brave men and women on the front lines of California’s increasingly destructive wildfires and climate-driven disasters. 

“Just like Eric Rowley and his fellow firefighters didn’t hesitate to answer the call, Congress cannot fail in delivering unconditional aid to ensure our communities recover from the worst wildfire our nation ever experienced,” said U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30). “We cannot allow politics to stand in the way of recovery efforts and the resources our first responders need. Holding disaster aid hostage isn’t leadership; it’s cruel extortion.” 

WILDFIRE DAMAGE:

• 16,200+ structures destroyed in the recent Los Angeles wildfires. 
• $250 billion in estimated economic losses, the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. 
• 29 lives lost due to the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles. 

Friedman has constantly pushed for unconditional federal aid in response to the wildfires. She recently co-sponsored the Disaster Recovery Efficiency Act, which would streamline the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) wildfire response programs, and has advocated for additional grants to help local fire departments. Additionally, as a state legislator, she authored A.B. 3074, which strengthened defensible space guidelines to protect homes from wildfires and reduce fire spread in high-risk areas.  

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