OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025

Floor Speech

Date: June 3, 2025
Location: Washington, DC


Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 160, the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act.

This bill amends the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996 to reauthorize the sale of aircraft and parts by the Defense Department for wildfire suppression for 10 years.

This 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 retardants or water by air to suppress wildfires. The aircraft and parts could only be used for fire suppression.

This bill will help the U.S. suppress wildfires and recognizes the unfortunate reality that fire season is now year-round and additional resources, including aircraft, are required to effectively suppress catastrophic wildfires.

S. 160 is a bipartisan, commonsense bill that will help the United States maintain a robust fleet of wildfire suppression aircraft. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill, the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act.

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