Momentum Builds to Fix National Parks

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) recently announced a major step forward toward a Senate vote on the America the Beautiful Act. As of today, the bill has 60 bipartisan cosponsors, split evenly between the two parties. If passed, this bill would provide $11.2 billion over eight years to address our parks’ crumbling roads, decaying buildings, outdated drinking and wastewater systems and many more critical repair needs. For decades, NPCA and hundreds of thousands of park supporters have fought for funding to fix our national parks. That advocacy has already delivered meaningful results for national parks, helping address hundreds of long-overdue repair projects, improving visitor experience and safety for millions, and strengthening local economies in every state. Today’s action builds on that success and puts us on a path to make even more progress for our parks, visitors and communities.

The bill has now earned majority support in the Senate as lawmakers push for a hearing. NPCA will continue working with members of Congress every step of the way to get this bill over the finish line.

Statement by Emily Douce, Acting Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA):

“We’re thrilled by today’s announcement and the renewed momentum to address long-overdue repairs in our national parks. The strong bipartisan support behind the America the Beautiful Act demonstrates what national parks do best: bring people together.

“Over the past five years, investments to fix our national parks have funded more than 600 high-priority repair projects, generated more than $8 billion for local economies and supported more than 72,000 jobs nationwide.

“But the need to tackle the $23 billion repair backlog is only growing more urgent. Since January 2025, parks have lost nearly 25% of their staff, forcing some critical repair projects to be delayed or canceled altogether.

“Thanks to park champions in the Senate, we’re one step closer to addressing one of our parks’ biggest challenges. We look forward to working with the rest of Congress to get this bill across the finish line.”

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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.6 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org