hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Gives federal wildland firefighters paid rest leave and lifts pay caps.
Senators Padilla (D-CA) and Sheehy (D-MT) introduced it.
Introduced in Senate, no vote yet.
The 'Support our Firefighters Act' aims to provide paid rest and recuperation leave for federal wildland firefighters after they respond to major incidents. It also seeks to remove existing caps on their overtime pay, allowing them to earn more for their extensive work hours. The bill was introduced by Senator Padilla, a Democrat from California, and Senator Sheehy, a Democrat from Montana. It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for review before any potential vote.
Introduced Mar 26, 2026
This bill is currently in the 'Introduced' stage in the Senate. This means it has been officially presented by Senators Padilla and Sheehy and assigned a bill number. It has been referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. For it to become law, it must pass through committee review, be voted on and approved by the full Senate, then pass the House of Representatives, and finally be signed by the President.
If this bill passes, federal wildland firefighters working for the Forest Service or Department of the Interior would be entitled to paid rest and recuperation leave after extended deployments to fire incidents, which could improve their well-being and readiness. The bill would also permanently remove the previous yearly caps on overtime pay for these firefighters, meaning they could earn more for the long hours they work. Additionally, it allows for up to $5 million to be transferred between Forest Service and Department of the Interior wildland fire management funds to ensure uninterrupted firefighter base salary increases.
Supporters Say
This bill would provide essential support for federal wildland firefighters by ensuring adequate rest and fair compensation for their dangerous work.
Critics Say
The transfer of funds from one agency's wildland fire management budget to another could raise concerns about resource allocation.
Supporters would likely argue that providing specific rest and recuperation leave, along with lifting overtime caps, is crucial for the health, safety, and retention of federal wildland firefighters who face physically demanding and often hazardous conditions. Critics might focus on the provision allowing for the transfer of up to $5 million between Forest Service and Department of the Interior budgets. While specified for firefighter salaries, this transfer could spark discussion about how wildland fire management funds are allocated and prioritized across different federal agencies.