Legis Daily

Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-160| Senate 
| Updated: 6/12/2025
Tim Sheehy

Tim Sheehy

Republican Senator

Montana

Cosponsors (8)
Markwayne Mullin (Republican)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)James E. Risch (Republican)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Raphael G. Warnock (Democratic)Mark Kelly (Democratic)Mike Crapo (Republican)

Armed Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, known as the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025, significantly reauthorizes the Department of Defense's program for selling surplus aircraft and parts for wildfire suppression. It extends the period during which these sales can occur, ensuring continued access to vital resources for aerial firefighting efforts. Specifically, the Act permits the sale of aircraft and parts from its enactment date until October 1, 2035 . It also clarifies that these aircraft may be used for applying both fire retardant and water , broadening their utility in combating wildfires. The primary goal is to enhance national wildfire suppression capabilities by facilitating the transfer of suitable military assets.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

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Timeline
Jan 21, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 21, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Mar 7, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-956
Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
Apr 8, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Apr 8, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2480)
Apr 8, 2025
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2480: 2)
Apr 8, 2025
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2480)
Apr 8, 2025
Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Apr 9, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Apr 9, 2025
Received in the House.
Apr 9, 2025
Held at the desk.
Jun 3, 2025
Mr. Comer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jun 3, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2390)
Jun 3, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 160.
Jun 3, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2390)
Jun 3, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2390)
Jun 3, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jun 10, 2025
Presented to President.
Jun 12, 2025
Signed by President.
Jun 12, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-18.
  • January 21, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 21, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.


  • March 7, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-956
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.


  • April 8, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • April 8, 2025
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2480)


  • April 8, 2025
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2480: 2)


  • April 8, 2025
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2480)


  • April 8, 2025
    Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.


  • April 9, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • April 9, 2025
    Received in the House.


  • April 9, 2025
    Held at the desk.


  • June 3, 2025
    Mr. Comer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • June 3, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2390)


  • June 3, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 160.


  • June 3, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2390)


  • June 3, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2390)


  • June 3, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • June 10, 2025
    Presented to President.


  • June 12, 2025
    Signed by President.


  • June 12, 2025
    Became Public Law No: 119-18.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 119-956: Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025
Aviation and airportsFiresForests, forestry, treesMilitary assistance, sales, and agreements

Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-160| Senate 
| Updated: 6/12/2025
This legislation, known as the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025, significantly reauthorizes the Department of Defense's program for selling surplus aircraft and parts for wildfire suppression. It extends the period during which these sales can occur, ensuring continued access to vital resources for aerial firefighting efforts. Specifically, the Act permits the sale of aircraft and parts from its enactment date until October 1, 2035 . It also clarifies that these aircraft may be used for applying both fire retardant and water , broadening their utility in combating wildfires. The primary goal is to enhance national wildfire suppression capabilities by facilitating the transfer of suitable military assets.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 21, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 21, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Mar 7, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-956
Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
Apr 8, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Apr 8, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2480)
Apr 8, 2025
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2480: 2)
Apr 8, 2025
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2480)
Apr 8, 2025
Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Apr 9, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Apr 9, 2025
Received in the House.
Apr 9, 2025
Held at the desk.
Jun 3, 2025
Mr. Comer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jun 3, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2390)
Jun 3, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 160.
Jun 3, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2390)
Jun 3, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2390)
Jun 3, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jun 10, 2025
Presented to President.
Jun 12, 2025
Signed by President.
Jun 12, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-18.
  • January 21, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 21, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.


  • March 7, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-956
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.


  • April 8, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • April 8, 2025
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2480)


  • April 8, 2025
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2480: 2)


  • April 8, 2025
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2480)


  • April 8, 2025
    Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.


  • April 9, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • April 9, 2025
    Received in the House.


  • April 9, 2025
    Held at the desk.


  • June 3, 2025
    Mr. Comer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • June 3, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2390)


  • June 3, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 160.


  • June 3, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2390)


  • June 3, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2390)


  • June 3, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • June 10, 2025
    Presented to President.


  • June 12, 2025
    Signed by President.


  • June 12, 2025
    Became Public Law No: 119-18.
Tim Sheehy

Tim Sheehy

Republican Senator

Montana

Cosponsors (8)
Markwayne Mullin (Republican)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)James E. Risch (Republican)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Raphael G. Warnock (Democratic)Mark Kelly (Democratic)Mike Crapo (Republican)

Armed Services Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 119-956: Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Aviation and airportsFiresForests, forestry, treesMilitary assistance, sales, and agreements