East Central Texas News

Congressman Jake Ellzey has declared his support for the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025, a bipartisan initiative aimed at boosting the nation's aerial firefighting capabilities. This legislation seeks to reauthorize the Department of Defense (DoD) to transfer surplus military aircraft and parts to private contractors.

The act revives an authority that was originally established under the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996. This program historically contributed to expanding and modernizing America's aerial firefighting fleet but lapsed in 2017, leading to delays and inefficiencies in firefighting operations nationwide.

"The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act restores a proven solution that allows us to use existing resources more effectively," stated Rep. Ellzey. "Instead of letting surplus aircraft sit unused, this bill ensures they are put to work protecting communities and responding swiftly to wildfires across the country. It's a practical step to improve efficiency, support our firefighting crews, and make sure taxpayer-funded assets are used wisely."

Rep. Newhouse commented on the legislation's impact: "As wildfires continue to ravage our communities every year, this bipartisan legislation delivers major new assets to our fire suppression fleets for year-round management efforts." He further added, "Our firefighters need all the help they can get, and allowing the sale of the Department of Defense’s excess aircraft responsibly leverages the assets we have for public safety and fire management. I thank Reps. Ellzey, Carbajal, and Vasquez for joining me in this effort."

The proposed legislation permits the DoD to sell excess aircraft and parts at fair market value to private aerial firefighting companies. By reinstating this transfer authority for ten years, it aims to enhance the country's ability to respond promptly and effectively to fires while reducing pressure on emergency response teams.