Government Shutdown Threatens Forest Health and Rural Communities

Washington, D.C.—Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) issued the following statement from Jason Hayes, Director of Energy and Environment, regarding the ongoing government shutdown and its impact on America’s forests:

“At over three weeks, the government shutdown continues to hamper the ability of the U.S. Forest Service to manage and protect our nation’s forested public lands. More than 10,000 U.S. Forest Service employees have been furloughed, and confusion over the timing of critical management activities—like prescribed burns that reduce dangerous fuel buildup—threatens to undermine forest health.

While Washington funding may be stalled, our forests don’t stop growing. Every day of lost time or delayed treatment increases the risk of catastrophic wildfires next year, putting rural communities, firefighters, and America’s natural heritage in danger.

The ongoing government closure represents a growing threat to both our environment and public safety—all because some politicians in Washington would rather prioritize gridlock and partisan demands than responsible stewardship. Congress must reopen the government, get our foresters back to work, and put Americans and their communities first.”