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Senators seek DEI records from LA City Council in inquiry into January fires
An L.A. Fire Dept. helicopter flies over homes threatened by the wind-driven Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, Jan. 7.
(
David Swanson
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Topline:
A Senate subcommittee wants to know if DEI policies played a role in the response to the Palisades Fire.
Why now: Republican Senators Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Rick Scott of Florida sent a letter Wednesday to L.A. City Council President Marqueece Harris Dawson to hand over all records of diversity programs for the L.A. Fire Department and LADWP.
What they've asked for: The letter details a wide-ranging request for documents, from disaster evacuation plans to the closure of the Santa Ynez Reservoir and communications between the council staff and members.
Reaction: Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez condemned the inquiry, pointing out the request includes the Eaton Fire, which was not in the city. Soto-Martinez released a statement saying "DEI did not cause the fires, and these senators should take their witch hunts elsewhere."
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