WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

S. 160 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-18

Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025

Became lawArmed Forces and National Security
IntroducedJan 21, 2025
Passed SenateApr 8, 2025
Passed HouseJun 3, 2025
To PresidentJun 10, 2025
Became lawJun 12, 2025

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

S. 160 changed 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text in its final form, as sent to the President.

Public Law 104-307 An earlier law, changed directly

  • §2 changed · Sec. 2(1), Sec. 2(2), Sec. 2(3), Sec. 2(4), Sec. 2(5) · see the words
What the words changed: every change, in place (6)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what was struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. Public Law 104-307(a)(1)changedby S. 160 Sec. 2(1)

    The bill says: by striking "a period" and inserting "the period"; and

    Bill text

  2. Public Law 104-307(a)(1)changedby S. 160 Sec. 2(1)

    The bill says: by inserting "or water" after "fire retardant";

    Bill text

  3. Public Law 104-307(b)changedby S. 160 Sec. 2(2)

    The bill says: in subsection (b), by striking "sold under subsection (a)" and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting "sold under subsection (a) may be used only for the provision of aircraft services for wildfire suppression purposes.";

    Bill text

  4. Public Law 104-307(c)changedby S. 160 Sec. 2(3)

    The bill says: in subsection (c), by inserting "or water" after "fire retardant";

    Bill text

  5. Public Law 104-307(d)(1)changedby S. 160 Sec. 2(4)

    The bill says: in subsection (d)(1), in the second sentence, by striking "subsection (a)(1)" and inserting "subsection (g)"; and

    Bill text

  6. Public Law 104-307changedby S. 160 Sec. 2(5)

    The bill says: by striking subsection (g) and inserting the following:

    Bill text

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025

This act reauthorizes the Department of Defense to sell its excess aircraft and aircraft parts that are acceptable for commercial sale for wildfire suppression purposes. Such authority begins June 12, 2025, and ends October 1, 2035.

The act also provides that such aircraft may be used to deliver water by air in order to suppress wildfire (the previous authority only provided for the delivery of fire retardant).

The act removes the previous limitation on providing international wildfire suppression assistance with such purchased aircraft.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Public Law, Jun 12, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. 2025-06-12Became Public Law No: 119-18.Library of Congress
  2. 2025-06-12Became Public Law No: 119-18.Library of Congress
  3. 2025-06-12Signed by President.Library of Congress
  4. 2025-06-12Signed by President.Library of Congress
  5. 2025-06-10Presented to President.House floor actions
  6. 2025-06-10Presented to President.Library of Congress
  7. 2025-06-03Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  8. 2025-06-03On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2390)House floor actions
  9. 2025-06-03Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2390)Library of Congress
  10. 2025-06-03DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 160.House floor actions
  11. 2025-06-03Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2390)House floor actions
  12. 2025-06-03Mr. Comer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
  13. 2025-04-09Held at the desk.House floor actions
  14. 2025-04-09Received in the House.House floor actions
  15. 2025-04-09Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  16. 2025-04-08Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2480)Senate
  17. 2025-04-08Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
  18. 2025-04-08Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2480)Senate
  19. 2025-04-08Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.Senate
  20. 2025-04-08Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
  21. 2025-01-21Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.Senate
  22. 2025-01-21Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

After it became law

Sourced

Nothing in the Federal Register names Public Law 119-18 yet (checked Oct 27, 2026). Many laws need no new rules: they set penalties, name a building, or fund something directly.

Cosponsors

  • Mike Crapo R-ID
  • Martin Heinrich D-NM
  • Mark Kelly D-AZ
  • Ben Ray Luján D-NM
  • Sen. Markwayne Mullin R-OK
  • Alex Padilla D-CA
  • James E. Risch R-ID
  • Raphael G. Warnock D-GA