ACERO Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/390
Last Updated: July 17, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

ID: F000480

Follow the money

The bill

ACERO Act

HR. 390, 119th Congress — read as touching Defense Contractors.

The sponsor

Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$69,300 raised

21 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

February 23, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another bill, another exercise in futility. The ACERO Act, because what's a more pressing issue than wildfires? I mean, it's not like there are actual problems plaguing this country.

**Main Purpose & Objectives**

The main purpose of this bill is to utilize NASA-developed tools and technologies to improve aerial responses to wildfires. Wow, how original. Because clearly, the solution to every problem lies in throwing more technology at it. The objectives? Well, they're as vague as a politician's promise: "improve aerial responses," "enhance situational awareness," and "coordinate efforts." Yawn.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law**

The bill authorizes NASA to conduct research and development activities under the ACERO project (because who doesn't love an acronym?). It also establishes goals for this research, including developing advanced aircraft technologies, information sharing, and interoperable platforms. Oh, and it prohibits the procurement of unmanned aircraft systems manufactured by "covered foreign entities" (read: China). How quaint.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders**

The usual suspects are involved: NASA, federal agencies, state and local governments, commercial partners, and academic institutions. Because when you're trying to solve a complex problem like wildfires, it's essential to have as many cooks in the kitchen as possible. And by "cooks," I mean bureaucrats and special interest groups.

**Potential Impact & Implications**

The impact of this bill will be negligible, at best. It's a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. Wildfires are a symptom of climate change, deforestation, and poor land management practices. This bill doesn't address any of those underlying issues; it just throws more money at the problem in the hopes that technology will magically solve everything.

The real implications? More pork-barrel spending, more bureaucratic red tape, and more opportunities for special interest groups to line their pockets with taxpayer dollars. And if you believe this bill will actually improve aerial responses to wildfires, I have a bridge to sell you.

Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a severe case of " Politician-itis" – a disease characterized by the inability to address actual problems and instead opting for feel-good legislation that accomplishes nothing. Treatment? A healthy dose of skepticism and a strong stomach for the inevitable waste of taxpayer dollars.

Related Topics

Water & Air Quality RegulationsDefense Spending & Procurement
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$69,300
17 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$3,300
Committees
$0
Individuals
$66,000

No PAC contributions found

1
TULE RIVER TRIBAL COUNCIL
1 transaction
$3,300

No committee contributions found

1
ROJEWSKI, COLE
2 transactions
$6,600
2
EKEGREN, JONATHAN
2 transactions
$6,600
3
HAYDE, MICHAEL K.
2 transactions
$6,600
4
KHOURI, LAURA A.
2 transactions
$6,600
5
ANDERSON, DARIUS
1 transaction
$3,300
6
LEPRINO, TERRY
1 transaction
$3,300
7
HUNTER, KEN
1 transaction
$3,300
8
BAND MIWOK INDIANS, SHINGLE SPRINGS
1 transaction
$3,300
9
MOJIBI, AMANDA
1 transaction
$3,300
10
MOJIBI, CYRUS
1 transaction
$3,300
11
BECK, PATRICK
1 transaction
$3,300
12
SINGH, MATAB
1 transaction
$3,300
13
LAZZERINI, JR., WILLIAM
1 transaction
$3,300
14
LAZZERINI, VICTORIA
1 transaction
$3,300
15
PANKEY, MONA
1 transaction
$3,300
16
PANKEY, PETE
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 7 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

ID: M001227

Top Contributors

10

1
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLAKESIDE, CA
$1,500
May 24, 2023
2
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLAKESIDE, CA
$1,500
May 24, 2023
3
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Dec 21, 2023
4
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Dec 21, 2023
5
STARLEY LLC
OrganizationNORTH CHESTERFIELD, VA
$250
Oct 13, 2024
6
STARLEY LLC
OrganizationNORTH CHESTERFIELD, VA
$250
Oct 13, 2024
7
RICE, NANCY
LITTLE DIFFICULT RUNCONSULTANT
IndividualVIENNA, VA
$6,600
Sep 23, 2024
8
RICE, NANCY
LITTLE DIFFICULT RUNCONSULTANT
IndividualVIENNA, VA
$6,600
Sep 23, 2024
9
ABRAMSON, RONALD D
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEYATTORNEY
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Nov 15, 2023
10
FRIED, BARBARA J.
FRIED COMPANIES INC.REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
IndividualCROZET, VA
$3,300
Dec 19, 2023

Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]

ID: W000830

Top Contributors

10

1
SWING LEFT
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$2,400
Nov 5, 2024
2
AMERIPAC: THE FUND FOR A GREATER AMERICA
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$500
Oct 17, 2024
3
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$1,000
Aug 8, 2024
4
HARRIS, WILLIAM
MASS GENERAL HOSPITALPHYSICIAN
IndividualLEXINGTON, MA
$5,000
Jan 25, 2024
5
HARRIS, WILLIAM
IndividualLEXINGTON, MA
$5,000
Feb 7, 2024
6
BAILEY, DAVID
KPPB LLPPATENT ATTORNEY
IndividualLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
7
BIRMINGHAM, CYNTHIA
SELF EMPLOYEDATTORNEY
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Oct 30, 2024
8
BROOKS, JAMES
GRACIE FILMSWRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
IndividualLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
9
CLUBOK, ANDY
LATHAM & WATKINS LLPATTORNEY
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Oct 30, 2024
10
DELANEY, QUINN
NOT EMPLOYEDRETIRED
IndividualPIEDMONT, CA
$3,300
Nov 9, 2024

Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]

ID: O000019

Top Contributors

10

1
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
2
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Nov 11, 2024
3
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
Mar 31, 2024
4
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Jun 6, 2023
5
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
Jun 20, 2023
6
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Jun 6, 2023
7
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Apr 14, 2023
8
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
9
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Sep 16, 2024
10
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS
OrganizationPLACERVILLE, CA
$2,000
Oct 24, 2023

Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

ID: V000138

Top Contributors

10

1
LUX FOR VIRGINIA
OrganizationLADYSMITH, VA
$500
Mar 29, 2024
2
LUX FOR VIRGINIA
OrganizationLADYSMITH, VA
$500
Mar 31, 2024
3
FORSTER-BURKE, DIANE
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualCOTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT
$4,000
Apr 20, 2024
4
FORSTER-BURKE, DIANE
IndividualCOTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT
$4,000
May 5, 2024
5
VON STEIN, THOMSON
IndividualROCKVILLE, MD
$3,500
Aug 7, 2024
6
HULL, MEGAN
SELFACTIVIST
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Nov 2, 2024
7
KAISER, GEORGE
GBK CORPORATIONEXECUTIVE
IndividualTULSA, OK
$3,300
Oct 25, 2024
8
PARSONS, KATHLEEN
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualPOTOMAC, MD
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
9
STAPLE, HARISE
SELFMD
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
10
HOLMES, LAURA
SELFREAL ESTATE INVESTOR
IndividualBOCA RATON, FL
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024

Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

ID: C001112

Top Contributors

10

1
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Oct 18, 2023
2
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationHIGHLAND, CA
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
3
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Jan 11, 2024
4
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Feb 24, 2023
5
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Feb 24, 2023
6
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
7
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
8
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLAKESIDE, CA
$2,000
Jun 26, 2024
9
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$2,000
Sep 21, 2023
10
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS
$1,500
Dec 19, 2023

Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]

ID: H001090

Top Contributors

10

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 26, 2023
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 18, 2024
3
CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$1,000
Sep 30, 2023
4
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$1,000
Oct 31, 2024
5
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$1,000
Nov 7, 2024
6
MIRANDA, LAUREL
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualATHERTON, CA
$6,600
Feb 7, 2023
7
ELSON, DAVID
UNITED STAFFING ASSOCIATESCEO
IndividualLAS VEGAS, NV
$6,600
Aug 16, 2023
8
GOODMAN, COREY
VENBIO PARTNERS LLCLIFE SCIENCES VENTURE CAPITAL MANAGING
IndividualMARSHALL, CA
$6,600
Aug 29, 2023
9
SCHMIDT, ERIC
HILLSPIRE LLCMANAGER
IndividualPALO ALTO, CA
$6,600
Aug 16, 2023
10
BROWN, SHELLEY
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualLOS ALTOS HILLS, CA
$6,600
Aug 19, 2023

Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

ID: N000191

Top Contributors

10

1
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023
2
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$2,500
Oct 13, 2024
3
YUROK TRIBE
OrganizationKLAMATH, CA
$1,000
Feb 1, 2023
4
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$1,000
Jun 9, 2024
5
EKLUND, PAUL
IndividualBOULDER, CO
$6,400
Oct 3, 2023
6
EKLUND, PAUL
P.N. EKLUND INTERESTS INC.REAL ESTATE
IndividualBOULDER, CO
$6,400
Sep 30, 2023
7
KLARMAN, SETH
THE BAUPOST GROUPCEO
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
8
GROSS, DAVID
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADOINSTRUCTOR
IndividualBOULDER, CO
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
9
WEAVER, LINDSAY
SELFENGINEER
IndividualPAGOSA SPRINGS, CO
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
10
BLOOM, BRADLEY
BERKSHIRE PARTNERS LLCINVESTMENTS
IndividualWELLESLEY, MA
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 53 nodes and 36 connections (43 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $102,000

Top Donors - Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

Showing top 17 donors by contribution amount

1 Org16 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 3 helped.

  • +Defense Contractorsconfidence 0.80

    Section 2(d)(1) prohibits procurement of unmanned aircraft systems manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity, which benefits domestic defense contractors by limiting foreign competition in UAS procurement for wildfire response.

  • Section 2(a) and (b) involve leveraging NASA-developed tools and technologies for R&D to improve aerial responses to wildfires, which could benefit commercial aerospace firms involved in aircraft technologies and airspace management.

  • +Telecommunicationsconfidence 0.60

    Section 2(b)(2) and (3) involve information sharing, real-time data exchange, and development of an interoperable platform for situational awareness, which could benefit telecom firms providing data transmission and connectivity services.

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