On November 13, Chairman Rick Scott of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging and Chairman Ron Johnson of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations will hold a field hearing in Pacific Palisades, California. The hearing is titled “Forgotten After the Flames: Stories from the Palisades Fire” and aims to address issues following the January 2025 Palisades Fire.
The fire resulted in significant destruction, causing billions of dollars in property damage and leading to the deaths of 12 people. The upcoming hearing will focus on survivors’ experiences and highlight concerns raised by local leaders who feel their voices have not been heard during recovery efforts. The session will also review shortcomings at various government levels regarding disaster preparedness and response.
In preparation for this investigation, Chairman Scott and Chairman Johnson have sent requests for information to multiple officials. These include letters to the president of the Los Angeles City Council, Janisse Quiñones of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, former Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Crowley, as well as federal officials such as USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, DOI Secretary Doug Burgum, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. In one recent letter to Treasury Secretary Bessent, Scott asked for a review into reports that Communist China may be purchasing land affected by these wildfires.
The witness list includes Tom Doran (Squadron 283 Executive Committee Member), David Schwarz (Chairman of Pacific Palisades Community Council Rebuilding Committee), Jessica Rogers (President of Pacific Palisades Resident Association), John Alle (President of John Alle Company), and Bruce and Rachel Schwartz—all survivors of the fire.
The hearing will take place at 15247 La Cruz Drive in Pacific Palisades at 9:00 AM PT. A live broadcast will be available online.
