Davids Demands Trump Administration Release Withheld Firefighting, Forestry Resources for Kansas
Today, Representative Sharice Davids urged the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Tom Schultz and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought to immediately release critical federal investments owed to the Kansas Forest Service (KFS). Despite Congress approving the funding nearly five months ago, the Trump Administration has failed to distribute the resources Kansas needs to support rural fire departments, protect agriculture operations, prevent wildfires, and keep Kansans safe.
“While this administration sits on these critical investments it is required to spend, firefighters across Kansas are worried about the impact this will have across the state,” wrote Davids. “If KFS does not receive the funding it’s owed by the USFS, the agency will be forced to lay off staff and cut services that support our farmers, cool our cities, clean our air, and beautify Kansas communities.”
"We’ve all felt the pressure at KFS with the uncertainty surrounding our long-awaited funding,” said Jason Hartman, State Forester, Kansas Forester Service. “We genuinely appreciate Representative Davids’ proactive approach in seeking clarity on the situation. These funds will enable us to continue providing Kansans with the professional assistance they expect from KFS."
KFS depends on federal funding for 60–80 percent of its annual budget. Without its federal appropriation, KFS will be forced to make drastic cuts throughout the state. The delayed funds support:
- Training for over 1,500 firefighters across the state,
- Equipment and resources for rural fire departments,
- Forest health programs for private landowners and farmers,
- Tree-planting and community forestry in cities like Overland Park, Ottawa, and De Soto,
- Invasive species detection and response.
Davids’ letter also highlights a troubling pattern under the Trump Administration:
- A proposed 35 percent cut to the U.S. Forest Service budget for fiscal year 2026,
- Public threats to use so-called ‘pocket rescissions’ to unlawfully block congressionally approved spending,
- The abrupt cancellation of a $1 million tree-planting grant for Olathe, Kansas.
According to KFS, funding that normally arrives in May or June still hasn’t come — with fewer than two months left in the fiscal year. Without immediate action, the agency could be forced to scale back or eliminate essential programs and services.
“With fewer than two months remaining in the fiscal year, the USFS must act quickly to distribute these awards before September 30 and ensure that KFS and other state forestry agencies do not suffer a lapse in services due to your delays,” continued Davids.
Davids has consistently supported bipartisan efforts to fund wildfire resilience, rural infrastructure, and environmental protection. She is now calling on the Trump Administration to stop using bureaucratic delays to sidestep Congress and deliver the resources Kansans are owed.
Read the full letter here.