Sign in Subscribe
Natural resources

Senator Heinrich Blasts U.S. Forest Service Chief over Trump Budget Cuts

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) called out U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz for the Trump Administration's Fiscal Year 2026 budget request, which cuts funding for wildfire response and public safety by 65%. Heinrich grilled Schultz during a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, highlighting the devastating impact of the cuts on states and local communities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump Administration's budget request cuts funding for the U.S. Forest Service by 65%, including critical firefighting programs that keep families safe.
  • The budget would force cash-strapped states and local communities to fend for themselves and bear the cost of wildfires, endangering families and communities.
  • The Trump Administration's budget would zero out the State and Volunteer Fire Assistance Program, which is a successful partnership between the federal government and states.
  • The budget would transfer funding for hazardous fuels reduction to the Department of Interior, which may not be sufficient to meet the need.
  • The Forest Service is behind schedule on hazardous fuels reduction, with only 1.7 million acres treated so far in Fiscal Year 2025, despite a goal of 4 million acres.
  • The Forest Service has 5,000 fewer employees working for the agency, which has raised concerns about the ability to manage public lands and prevent wildfires.
  • The Trump Administration has not provided a detailed blueprint for its new firefighting approach, with only 90 days to develop a plan.

Statistics:

  • 65%: Reduction in funding for the U.S. Forest Service in the Trump Administration's budget request.
  • 5,000: Number of Forest Service employees who opted into the Deferred Resignation Program.
  • 1.7 million: Acres of hazardous fuels reduction treated so far in Fiscal Year 2025.
  • 4 million: Goal for hazardous fuels reduction.
  • 5,000: Reduction in Forest Service employees.

Sources:

  • U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, "Heinrich Blasts U.S. Forest Service Chief for Trump Budget that Guts Funding for Wildfire Response and Public Safety," https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-blasts-us-forest-service-chief-for-trump-budget-that-guts-funding-for-wildfire-response-and-public-safety
  • U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, "Hearing Transcripts," July 10, 2025.

Read more