1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Direct Hire To Fight Fires . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Veterans are an appreciated and sought after population for positions within the Forest Service and in the positions contained in this Act. (2) Veterans deserve expedited hiring and employment. (3) In fiscal year 2020, the use of the Fire Direct Hire Authority ( DHA ) was on average 31 days compared to non-use of the Fire DHA at 51 days and overall Forest Service ( FS ) hiring at 65 days. (4) In fiscal year 2021, the use of the Fire DHA was on average 40 days compared to non-use of Fire DHA at 94 days and overall FS hiring at 73 days. (5) In fiscal year 2022, the use of the Fire DHA was on average 58 days compared to non-use of Fire DHA at 96 days and overall FS hiring at 104 days. (6) In fiscal year 2020, the number of days from authorization to employee entry on duty averaged 55 days with the use of the Fire DHA compared to non-use of the Fire DHA at 103 days and overall FS hiring at 92 days. (7) In fiscal year 2021, the number of days from authorization to employee entry on duty averaged 57 days with the use of the Fire DHA compared to non-use of the Fire DHA at 105 days and overall FS hiring at 94 days. (8) In fiscal year 2022, the number of days from authorization to employee entry on duty averaged 101 days with the use of the Fire DHA compared to non-use of the Fire DHA at 139 days and overall FS hiring at 146 days. 3. Direct hire authority to appoint individuals to Federal wildland firefighting and firefighting support positions in the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior (a) In general Chapter 96 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 9603. Direct hire authority to appoint individuals to Federal wildland firefighting and firefighting support positions in Forest Service and Department of the Interior (a) In general The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior may appoint, without regard to the provisions of sections