Congress Pushes FAA Study on Drones That Disrupt Wildfire Firefighting Flights
The House passed this bill and sent it to the Senate in March 2026. It is now waiting for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to act, but nothing has happened with the bill since March 2026. Because the Senate often does not schedule bills passed by the House, the progress of this legislation is stalled.
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6618.
Covers the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act’s introduction and details the FAA study requirement on drone incursions that ground firefighting aircraft, citing Oregon’s Flat Fire delay.
Discusses Flat Fire response and notes Rep. Janelle Bynum introduced the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act to address drones interfering with aerial firefighting during wildfires.
Local-TV style writeup (with video) referencing the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act and the Flat Fire incident where a drone reportedly delayed initial air attack by ~26 minutes.
No votes recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act
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