WASHINGTON—Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson—Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee—secured a key provision in the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act that prioritizes funding for Wildland Fire Management, including permanently addressing wildland firefighter pay. The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act passed Congress on March 14 and was signed into law by President Trump.

“The men and women who fight catastrophic wildfires across the nation deserve stability and adequate compensation for their courageous work,” said Rep. Simpson. “A permanent pay fix for our wildland firefighters will strengthen recruitment and retention while providing financial security to the first responders who protect our communities. I have long fought for this critical provision, and I am grateful to my colleagues and the Trump administration for their support in making it a reality.”

Congressman Simpson's Interior Appropriations bill included a permanent pay fix for federal wildland firefighters and passed the House in July 2024. Rep. Simpson also released an op-ed on why a permanent pay fix is needed.

The full text of the bill is available here.