The bills establish a Unified National Wildfire Intelligence Center and expedite the removal hazardous trees near power lines WASHINGTON — Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) is backing two pieces of legislation to improve wildfire mitigation efforts’ effectiveness. “Wildfires do an immense amount of damage across Arizona and the Southwest each year. That’s why it’s important that we work to prevent their formation and mitigate their harmful effects when they do occur,” said Senator Gallego. “These measures will help to reduce uncontrollable outbreaks and increase our response capabilities.” Senator Gallego has long been a leader in strengthening the federal and state response to wildfires. This year, he introduced the Cross-Boundary

WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) is backing the bipartisan, bicameral Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act to protect the safety and health of indoor and outdoor workers who are exposed to dangerous heat conditions in the workplace. The legislation would require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establish an enforceable federal standard to protect workers in high-heat environments with commonsense measures like paid breaks in cool spaces, access to water, limitations on time exposed to heat, and emergency response for workers with heat-related illness.   The bill is named in honor of Asunción Valdivia, who died in 2004 after picking grapes for

WASHINGTON — Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) backed the bipartisan Military Spouse Hiring Act to create incentives for businesses to hire military spouses. “Our military and their families serve our country day in and day out. Their brave sacrifices should not be penalized,” said Senator Gallego. “This bill helps the nearly 8,000 active-duty spouses in Arizona travel and relocate when necessary without having to worry about career setbacks and financial instability.” The Military Spouse Hiring Act would expand the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program – which provides tax credits to employers who hire people facing unique barriers to employment – to include military spouses. Military spouses experience rates of unemployment