On the Senate calendar · awaiting a floor vote
Western Wildfire Support Act of 2026
This bill addresses wildfires by authorizing post-fire recovery activities, supporting adoption of technology, and requiring additional federal coordination.
- Measure
- S. 91 · 119th Congress
- Latest action
- September 17, 2026
- Policy changes
- 4
- Source
- CRS summary (Introduced in Senate) · Congress.gov
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 629.
Who wrote it
Sponsor
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)Joined by 1 cosponsor, 1 of them from the day it was introduced. Introduced January 14, 2025.
All 1 cosponsors
- Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) · original
How Congress voted
No floor vote yet.
South Carolina’s delegation
| Member | On the record |
|---|---|
 Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) | None found |
 Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) | None found |
 Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC-1) | None found |
 Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC-2) | None found |
 Rep. Sheri Biggs (R-SC-3) | None found |
 Rep. William R. Timmons IV (R-SC-4) | None found |
 Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC-5) | None found |
 Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC-6) | None found |
 Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC-7) | None found |
In their own words
What members have said about this bill, quoted exactly and linked to the source. Your delegation is listed first.
“Every time I meet with wildland firefighters, they tell me the same thing: wildfire season is getting worse,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Our communities need Washington to act now and deliver the resources they need to prevent, combat, and recover from wildfires. I applaud the bipartisan backing my vital legislation received in committee, and I urge its immediate consideration on the Sente floor.”
In brief · After the bill cleared the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, she said worsening wildfire seasons require federal resources for prevention, firefighting and recovery, and she pushed for a quick floor vote. (AI-written summary of the source)
Press release · Office of Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto · February 4, 2026 · “Cortez Masto, Sheehy’s Bipartisan Legislation to Combat and Prevent Wildfires Clears Key S…” · Quote checked word-for-word against the source
“This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. My commonsense, bipartisan legislation would invest in proven prevention, mitigation, and recovery efforts our firefighters, businesses, and families need to keep them safe. It’s time for my colleagues to come to the table at get this done.”
In brief · In reintroducing the bill amid the Southern California fires, she said the West urgently needs more support to prevent and fight increasingly dangerous, costly wildfires. (AI-written summary of the source)
Press release · Office of Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto · January 14, 2025 · “Cortez Masto, Sheehy Push Legislation to Combat and Prevent Wildfires” · Quote checked word-for-word against the source
What it changes — and your vote
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Provision 1
Authorizes federal wildfire response and recovery activities by:
• providing statutory authority for Burned Area Emergency Response Teams to coordinate emergency stabilization and erosion planning, and • establishing an account to fund federal rehabilitation projects in areas impacted by a wildfire (e.g., ecosystem restoration, replacing infrastructure critical for land management).
1 yea (100%) · 0 nay (0%)
Provision 2
Additionally, for all hazard types, the bill includes post-disaster assistance in the federal disaster preparedness program and authorizes assistance to states for operating websites to provide information on post-disaster recovery resources.
No verified votes yet
Provision 3
Requires federal agencies to develop and utilize technologies for managing wildfires by:
• expediting the permitting and use of wildfire detection equipment (e.g., sensors, cameras); • providing funding to Indian tribes for slip-on tanker units that convert vehicles into fire engines; • performing research and development on wildfire response applications of unmanned aircraft systems (e.g., drones); • studying radio communications systems, situational awareness tools, and wildland fire predictive modeling; and • administering a prize competition for technological innovation for managing wildfire-related invasive species.
No verified votes yet
Provision 4
Directs federal agencies to plan and coordinate on wildfire management by:
• incorporating the best available science and planning tools into spatial fire management policies for federal lands, • collaborating with state agencies for mutual aid in fire suppression (including reimbursing states for suppressing fires caused by military operations), and • studying training gaps for integrating structural (e.g., local) firefighters into wildfire response.
No verified votes yet