Rep. Neguse Urges Congressional Action in Advance of Federal Firefighter ‘Pay Cliff’

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus and Ranking Member of the United States House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, penned a letter to the Chairs of the House Committees on Oversight and Accountability, Natural Resources, and Agriculture requesting urgent action on the bipartisan, bicameral Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2023. In 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created a new classification series specifically for wildland firefighters, temporarily increased pay, and established new support systems for firefighters through mental health services. The temporary pay increase will soon expire, making it necessary to pass the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act ahead of this deadline. 

Recent estimates from the United States Forest Service (USFS) allocate enough funding to cover two additional pay periods after the end of the fiscal year. Additionally, a provision included in the bipartisan Continuing Resolution released by the Senate Appropriations Committee keeps the pay increase intact through November 17, 2023. However, barring enactment of Congressman Neguse’s bill, federal wildland firefighters will ultimately endure a $20,000 cut to their base pay before the end of the year. 

Congressman Neguse wrote: "As you know, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act included $600 million to boost firefighter pay and convert seasonal firefighters to permanent, year-round employees. Specifically, section 40803 of the law provides a supplemental salary increase of $20,000 per year, or 50% of base salary, for wildland firefighters employed by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Interior. However, these funds will begin to run out at the end of this month, reverting all wildland firefighters to the pay levels seen just a few years ago. The United States Forest Service estimates that up to 50 percent of our firefighting workforce would leave the Forest Service and go elsewhere if this looming pay cliff becomes a reality. Such an event would be catastrophic for America’s forests and nearby communities."

The Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2023 is being led by Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) in the U.S. Senate and is supported by Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Katie Porter (D-CA), Josh Harder (D-CA), Rep. Scott Franklin (R-FL), and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) as well as Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Jon Tester (D-MT). The bill will permanently increase federal firefighter pay and will open the door for additional pay and benefit improvements from Tim’s Act – Congressman Neguse’s comprehensive firefighter pay and benefits legislation. 

Read the full letter HERE and below: 

September 28, 2023

Dear Chairs Comer, Westerman, and Thompson, and Ranking Members Raskin, Grijalva, and Scott:

We write to request urgent action on a bipartisan bill which is currently before your committees: H.R. 5169, the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2023.

Nearly every major wildfire in the U.S. relies on a response from federal wildland firefighters and the vital services their specialized crews provide. The need for their services has only become more pronounced as we experience longer fire seasons where wildfires are both more frequent and more severe. The federal government additionally provides advanced-skill units not offered by state or private entities, such as Hotshot Crews, Smokejumpers, Rappellers, Helitack Crews, and Wildland Fire Modules.

A recent study conducted by the Government Accountability Office found that low pay was the most commonly cited barrier to recruiting and retaining federal wildland firefighters. Until recently, many Federal wildland firefighters earned minimum wage incomes that did not keep pace with industry competitors, such as state agencies or private sector employment. 

As you know, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act included $600 million to boost firefighter pay and convert seasonal firefighters to permanent, year-round employees. Specifically, section 40803 of the law provides a supplemental salary increase of $20,000 per year, or 50% of base salary, for wildland firefighters employed by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Interior. However, these funds will begin to run out at the end of this month, reverting all wildland firefighters to the pay levels seen just a few years ago. The United States Forest Service estimates that up to 50 percent of our firefighting workforce would leave the Forest Service and go elsewhere if this looming pay cliff becomes a reality. Such an event would be catastrophic for America’s forests and nearby communities.

The Bipartisan Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act would make last year’s pay raises permanent for wildland firefighters and establish a daily pay supplemental for firefighters working on long-duration wildfires, prescribed fires, or deployed away from their duty station to preposition in a high-fire risk area. This legislation, drafted to ensure fiscal responsibility, was reported out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs with broad bipartisan support. Our federal firefighting workforce continues to be severely undercompensated for their sacrifices and their ongoing service.

Thank you for your leadership. We look forward to working with you to swiftly bring this bill to markup and ensure that this critical legislation is signed into law before the end of the fiscal year.

Sincerely,

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