Sheehy’s Bipartisan Wildfire Bill Heading to President Trump’s Desk

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy’s bipartisan Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act is headed to President Donald J. Trump’s desk after passing the House of Representatives today. 

The bill, introduced by Senator Sheehy in January alongside Senator Martin Heinrich (D – N.M.), strengthens the wildfire suppression fleet and ensures the United States can better combat the year-round threat of catastrophic wildfire. The bill passed the Senate unanimously in April.

“This year is the most dangerous and expensive wildfire year in history, and the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act will give wildland firefighters the tools they need to protect communities and save lives. Eliminating bureaucratic obstacles to fight wildfires more quickly and aggressively is America First common sense, and I appreciate my colleagues in the House and Senate for their support. I look forward to seeing this bipartisan bill cross the finish line so we can better support the brave first responders on the front lines fighting wildfires across the country,” said Senator Sheehy.

“I’m pleased that my Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act passed both chambers of Congress and is headed to the White House to be signed into law. I urge the president to immediately sign the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act, which is urgently needed to expand the operations of Very Large Air Tankers that have proven absolutely essential to firefighters battling large wildfires in New Mexico and across the West. I will never stop fighting to deliver the resources that our communities need to effectively respond to wildfires,” said Senator Heinrich.

The companion version of the bill is led in the House by Representatives Newhouse (R – Wash.), Carbajal (D – Calif.), and Zinke (R – Mont.).

Senator Sheehy is the only first-year senator to pass a bill though both chambers of Congress thus far in the 119^th Congress. 

Statements of Support
“10 Tanker Air Carrier supports and thanks the bipartisan efforts of Sen. Tim Sheehy and Sen. Martin Heinrich to help the many operators involved with aerial firefighting to purchase excess, retired military spare parts at fair market value, particularly desperately needed engines and brakes. This commonsense approach will ensure that our aging fleet will remain available to the United States to battle the devastating wildland fires of today and well into the future. We are pleased that the Department of Defense and the Air Force also support the national security mission of companies like ours,” said Joel Kerley, President and CEO of 10 Tanker Air Carrier.

“Billings Flying Service is grateful to Sen. Sheehy and Sen. Heinrich for their leadership in introducing the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025. As an operator providing aerial wildfire suppression services across the United States, maintaining BFS fleet readiness is ever-so critical to our mission. This Act opens up direct access to U.S. Armed Forces surplus parts, allowing operators to keep their aircraft in the air and deployed on life-saving missions. We are proud of the advancements Congress has made in protecting the sustainment of aerial wildfire resources, and we look forward to the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act becoming law,” said Bridger Blain, President of Billings Flying Service.

“Firehawk Helicopters is encouraged by the passing of the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act and would like to thank Sen. Tim Sheehy and Sen. Martin Heinrich for leading the efforts in seeing this bill passed. Since 2017, the aerial firefighting community has lost access to a critical aircraft and parts supply source. Taxpayers have lost hundreds of millions of dollars as valuable aircraft and aircraft parts were no longer made available for commercial sale. The law will save these critical aircraft and parts from being scrapped. By making these aircraft and parts available for commercial sale again, the taxpayers will reap the maximum return on their original investment, but more importantly, see these aircraft and parts utilized in a second life that prioritizes the protection of the public from the growing threat of devastating wildfires,” said Bart Brainerd, CEO of Firehawk Helicopters.

Background 

The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 amends the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996 to reauthorize the sale of aircraft and parts by the Department of Defense for wildfire suppression.

This bipartisan bill will help the U.S. better suppress wildfires year-round by facilitating the acquisition of military excess aircraft, sold at fair market value, for the aerial wildfire suppression fleet. Additionally, the sale of parts will help the U.S. maintain its existing aerial firefighting aircraft fleet.

The bill reauthorizes the Secretary of Defense to sell excess Department of Defense aircraft and aircraft parts, which are acceptable for commercial sale, to persons or entities that contract with the government for the delivery of fire retardant or water by air to suppress wildfires, as long as the aircraft and parts are used only for wildfire suppression. The initial authority expired in 2005 and was reauthorized from 2012 to 2017 before lapsing again. 

Read more on the bill HERE.