There are some sentences I assume I’ll never have the opportunity to write. “AOC was quiet on the subject.” Or, “Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was perky and jubilant as he laid out his optimistic vision for America.” Maybe even, “Former Vice President Kamala spoke eloquently as she laid out detailed plans for how she would ignite the nation’s economy.”
Another one that would have been on the list: “Former LA mayoral candidate and wildfire victim Spencer Pratt praises the Russia-obsessed junior senator from California, Adam Schiff (D).”
And yet, that’s exactly what happened:
Major props to @SenAdamSchiff and @SenRickScott for working across the aisle to get this done. Disaster recovery is hard enough as it is. A little bit of financial relief goes a long way. It’s easy to complain, but good leadership is very rare. https://t.co/0Hp3EReBkc
— Spencer Pratt (@spencerpratt) August 8, 2026
What would cause such unexpected praise from a guy on the opposite side of Schiff's political aisle? Lo and behold, Congress actually got something done in a bipartisan fashion and passed a bill aimed at helping victims of natural disasters — victims like Spencer Pratt himself, who lost his home in the devastating 2025 Los Angeles area fires (as did his parents). It’s called the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act, and it’s on President Trump’s desk awaiting signature after both chambers of Congress approved it.
The law would make it easier to get relief when you’re the victim of calamity:
Under current rules, in order for an individual to claim a disaster relief tax break, the damage to their property resulting from a federally declared disaster must meet or exceed 10% of their adjusted gross income. Someone who makes $100,000 per year, for instance, must incur $10,000 in damages before they can deduct the damages from their tax bill.
If the new disaster relief legislation is signed into law, that threshold would be removed for individuals who experienced disasters between December 28, 2019, and July 4, 2025, a period that covers the California wildfires, which destroyed the home of Pratt and many of Schiff’s other constituents.
Republican Senator Rick Scott (FL), a co-sponsor of the bill, also praised the effort and said he was moved by seeing firsthand during an August 2025 visit just what Pratt had experienced.
I am glad that we were able to pass the Doug LaMalfa Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act. What happened in California was devastating. After meeting with @spencerpratt at his burned-down home and the tour he gave me of the destruction, we fought to get this done.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) August 12, 2026
I appreciate all… https://t.co/9fzULZKMB0
Although he worked with Schiff to get this done, Scott didn’t hold back against local Golden State politicians:
"California politicians completely failed their residents after the fires. I flew to LA and met with [Pratt] at his burned-down lot. It was devastating," Scott said of the legislation, which he and Schiff sponsored. "After meeting with him, we fought to get this done. I appreciate all of Spencer’s work in helping us deliver much-needed relief for wildfire victims."
The bill is named after the late GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-1), who had long advocated for disaster relief but passed away in January during emergency surgery.
I am not and never will be a fan of Adam Schiff, but I can put that aside for a minute and admit: it’s nice when Congress can actually work together and get something productive achieved.
Kudos to Pratt, Scott and (chokes)… Schiff.
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