Calling for passage of HR 176

I am writing to implore Congressman Doug LaMalfa to prioritize the passage of HR 176 in this session. HR 176, titled “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a deduction for attorney fees awarded with respect to certain wildfire damages and to exclude from gross income settlement funds received with respect to such damages,” addresses an urgent and critical issue affecting the survivors of devastating megafires.

Representative LaMalfa represents the survivors of not one, but two catastrophic megafires: the Camp Fire (2018) and the recent Dixie Fire (2021). HR 176 rectifies a profound injustice faced by fire victims. This bill provides a lifeline to those who have lost so much. For the survivors represented by Congressman LaMalfa, these settlement funds are not a luxury, but an absolute necessity to rebuild their shattered lives and communities.

The fate of HR 176 rests on Congressman LaMalfa’s total commitment to addressing this injustice. Without his unwavering support, this bill risks failure, and his constituents will suffer even greater hardships. I implore Congressman LaMalfa to make HR 176 his highest priority in this session. By championing this bill and rallying bipartisan support, he can lead the way towards a more equitable and compassionate response to the plight of fire victims.

I urge him to prioritize this bill, fight for its passage, and ensure that his constituents receive the support they desperately need. Let us not fail those who have already suffered so much.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

— Judy Ellwood, Oroville