U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy today joined President Trump in the Oval Office as the president signed Sheehy’s bipartisan Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act into law. President Trump also signed a new executive order to combat the escalating wildfire crisis threatening the country.
“Eliminating bureaucratic obstacles to fight wildfires more quickly and aggressively is America First common sense, and I am honored to have President Trump sign my first bill into law so we can better support the brave first responders on the front lines fighting wildfires. As we enter the bulk of fire season during what has already been the worst year for wildfire on record, I’m grateful President Trump is taking decisive action to ensure we can respond better, faster, and stronger to wildland fires across the country. The highest calling of government is to protect its people, and President Trump is delivering our federal wildland firefighting apparatus the tools needed to ensure a robust response to these disasters and better protect American families from catastrophic wildfire,” said Senator Sheehy.
The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act, 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, signed into law today, passed the Senate unanimously in April and passed the House of Representatives earlier this month. Senator Sheehy is the only first-year senator to pass a bill through both chambers of Congress and have it signed into law by the president thus far in the 119th Congress.
Since taking office, Senator Sheehy has spearheaded a bipartisan push for comprehensive wildfire reform, leading or cosponsoring more than 15 pieces of legislation aimed at overhauling the federal response to wildfire. Today’s executive order signing follows Senator Sheehy leading a letter last month alongside 16 Senate and House Republicans expressing strong support for the Administration taking action on wildfire.
Source: Office of Senator Sheehy press release
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