Spencer Pratt, a Republican and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, commended Democratic Senator Adam Schiff for his role in passing disaster relief legislation that aids wildfire victims in California. Pratt expressed gratitude for the bipartisan effort, highlighting the importance of financial relief in disaster recovery.
Pratt lost his home in the Palisades wildfire of 2025, and he referred to the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act, passed by the Senate on August 7, which is now pending President Donald Trump’s approval. This legislation seeks to modify the existing rules for claiming disaster relief tax breaks, which currently require damages to meet or exceed 10% of an individual’s adjusted gross income.
For instance, under current rules, someone earning $100,000 annually would need to incur $10,000 in damages to qualify for a deduction. If the bill becomes law, this threshold would be removed for individuals affected by disasters between December 2019 and July 2025, encompassing the California wildfires that affected many of Schiff’s constituents.
Senator Schiff and Senator Rick Scott, who co-sponsored the bill, emphasized the importance of providing relief to those devastated by the fires. Scott acknowledged Pratt’s efforts in advocating for relief, noting the destruction in Los Angeles following the fires.
Moreover, the bill proposes that all wildfire relief payments be considered untaxable income. The California wildfires of 2025 resulted in the destruction of nearly 13,000 housing units, with estimated damages ranging between $28 billion and $53.8 billion, according to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated a $408 million revenue loss for the federal government from this act between 2026 and 2036. Other Californian conservatives, including James Johansson, a Republican farmer running for the California State Assembly, also praised the bipartisan effort.
The bill honors Doug LaMalfa, who represented a northern California district and championed agricultural interests. LaMalfa passed away in January due to heart-related complications, leaving behind a legacy of service.
Senator Schiff’s office did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
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