It has been more than a year since the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA) on a strong bipartisan vote, and despite broad support in the Senate, there is no vote scheduled. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is working the Senate side of Capitol Hill to try to get through the logjam but getting floor time for a vote is proving elusive. 

“Every time a legislative crisis shows up in the news, whether it is a government shutdown or budget bills or confirmation fights, that takes up precious time for the debate and vote that we need to get Fix Our Forests across the finish line. It is starting to feel like only fire season will enable us to cut through the noise,” said Ryan Bronson, RMEF director of government affairs. 

FOFA features a set of reforms to improve wildlife habitat quality in national forests, in addition to reducing catastrophic fire risk. It simplifies and expedites environmental reviews for forest management projects, promote federal, state, tribal and local collaboration in forest management, strengthen tools like Good Neighbor Authority and stewardship contracting to maximize return on investment, deters frivolous litigation that delays essential projects, including to reverse the 9th Circuit Court’s Cottonwood decision, and encourage the adoption of state-of-the-art science and technologies for federal land managers.  

Senate rules require 60 votes to end debate on most legislation and end so-called filibusters. RMEF and its allies continue to work to ensure that there are more than 60 votes when the time comes.  

Bronson already made two trips to Washington, D.C., in 2026 with a focus on Senate offices that may be on the fence, emphasizing the link between active management and habitat with wildfire resilience. The efforts have been generally successful, with most concerns focused on funding levels and not the policy provisions in the bill. 

RMEF’s biggest concern is that as the politics in Congress over other issues become more bitter, and the fall elections get closer, willingness to pass even bipartisan issues like FOFA will become more difficult.  

“We just met with Senate staffers from Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Arizona and Pennsylvania offices and found broad support for improved forest policy. We need to get the bill on the floor for a vote,” added Bronson.  

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation    
Now in its fifth decade of Conserving America’s Big Game,™ RMEF will extend its impact on habitat and public land access to 10 million acres by 2030. RMEF conserves and enhances habitat for elk and all big game, opens and improves access for hunting and other outdoor recreation, conducts science-based wildlife research and ensures the future of our hunting heritage through advocacy, outreach and education. Members, volunteers and supporters nationwide help RMEF further its mission. Find out more and join the movement at rmef.org or 800-CALL-ELK.