Senate Committee Advances Critical Bill to Fix National Parks

Washington, DC – In a unanimous bipartisan vote, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today advanced the America the Beautiful Act, signaling strong support for fixing our national parks. The bill invests $6.65 billion over five years to tackle critical repairs, from deteriorating roads and buildings to aging water infrastructure in national parks.

Decades of advocacy by NPCA and park supporters fueled the bipartisan congressional action that delivered the historic Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) into law in 2020. The dedicated maintenance and repairs fund in GAOA – the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) – has funded more than 600 overdue park projects, improving visitor safety and experiences, protecting historic and natural resources, and creating jobs and supporting local economies nationwide.

Today, senators voted to extend the LRF, building on GAOA’s momentum and moving us closer to securing the additional investments our parks, visitors and communities need. The bill will soon move to a full vote in the Senate, and if passed, will move to the House for swift consideration. 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):

“NPCA commends bipartisan members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for their leadership in advancing the America the Beautiful Act and keeping this critical effort moving forward. Today’s action is an important step toward addressing long-overdue repairs in our national parks and protecting the places that define our nation’s identity.

“Time and again, our national parks prove to be a unifying force that can bring both sides of the political aisle together. And as America approaches its 250th anniversary, there’s no better way to honor this milestone than by investing in the places that protect and tell our shared history.

“The job is far from finished. Congress must act swiftly to pass this bill and deliver it to the president’s desk. National parks face a repair backlog of $24 billion, and severe staffing losses continue to delay critical projects, threatening irreplaceable resources and compromising visitor experience. Congress must build on this bipartisan momentum and work with the administration to invest in the staff necessary to restore and protect our parks.

“We thank the committee and Senate park champions for their leadership and look forward to working with 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.