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Hearing Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming, as the...
house Federal Lands Subcommittee · Jul 1, 2026 · Transcript · 27 transcript matches
MR. GARY WHEAT "It is something that the Muscogee Creek Nation supports. It will help our community develop in a place that has been a section of our community that's been economically challenged, as well as add jobs and create a gateway community to a national park, which would be Georgia's first national park, which for me, I think that's a goal to not only become America's newest national park, but Georgia's first. We thank you for your support and Congressman Bishop's support of HR 9416 and getting that across that finish line and that"
Hearing Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250”
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 24, 2026 · Transcript · 15 transcript matches
WESTERMAN, BRUCE "with the support of 140 bipartisan co-sponsors, 70 Republicans and 70 Democrats, and more than 140 organizations. The process began last Congress when the committee held oversight hearings to examine the implementation of GAOA. In this Congress, the committee traveled to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and to Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas to see the LRF's firsthand and to hear from local stakeholders about ideas to improve the program for the"
Hearing Legislative field hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Great American Outdoors Act 250.” (10:00AM local time)
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 12, 2026 · Transcript · 14 transcript matches
SPEAKER_16 "My name is Mike Ward, and I am testifying on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks. It's made up of over 5,000 members, all of whom are current, former, or retired employees and volunteers of the National Park Service. Our goal is to continue supporting the National Park Service mission and National Park Service employees for advocating for national park solutions based on law and sound science. I spent nearly four decades working for the National Park Service in many roles, including Deputy Regional Director in the Midwest Region, Superintendent of Ulysses S. Grant..."
Committee National Parks Subcommittee
senate Standing
Hearing Fiscal Year 2027 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill and the Fiscal Year 2027 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and...
house Appropriations Committee · Jun 3, 2026 · Transcript · 7 transcript matches
CLYBURN, JAMES E. "nation. When I came to Congress, South Carolina had no national parks. Today, we have three. The Congaree National Park, the Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. In 2024, visitor spending in communities near national parks resulted in a $55.6 billion benefit to the nation's economy and supported over 400,000 jobs. That is according to the National Park Service. Last year, the big ugly bill the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. In 2024, visitor spending in communities near national parks resulted in a $55.6 billion..."
CRS Report
National Park System: Air Tour Management Issues
Resources · Dec 18, 2023
The statutory and regulatory framework for conducting air tours over units of the National Park System has been of ongoing interest to Congress. The National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000...
CRS Report
National Park System: Establishing New Units
Reports · Apr 6, 2022
The National Park System includes 423 diverse units administered by the National Park Service (NPS) in the Department of the Interior. Units generally are added to the National Park System by acts of...
CRS Report
Federal Land Designations: A Brief Guide
Report · May 19, 2023
This report provides a brief guide to selected titles—such as national park, national wildlife refuge, national monument, national conservation area, national recreation area, and others—that...
CRS Report
National Park Service: FY2024 Appropriations
Resources · Jul 23, 2024
The National Park Service (NPS) administers the National Park System, which includes 429 units valued for their natural, cultural, and recreational importance. System lands cover 81 million federal...
CRS Report
National Park Service: FY2023 Appropriations
Resources · Jun 26, 2023
The National Park Service (NPS) administers the National Park System, which includes 424 units valued for their natural, cultural, and recreational importance. System lands cover 81 million federal...
CRS Report
National Park Service: FY2022 Appropriations
Resources · May 19, 2022
The National Park Service (NPS) administers the National Park System, which includes 423 units valued for their natural, cultural, and recreational importance. System lands cover 81 million federal...
CRS Report
National Park System: Units Managed Through Partnerships
Reports · Apr 5, 2016
In recent decades, it has become more common for the National Park Service (NPS) to own and manage units of the National Park System in partnership with others in the federal, tribal, state, local,...
Hearing Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Interior.
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Apr 29, 2026 · Transcript · 6 transcript matches
HEINRICH, MARTIN "The budget proposal that we're discussing today tells us a lot about what this administration's priorities are, and I was very pleased to see that you have abandoned last year's proposal to get rid of many units of the National Park System, but even though you've agreed to keep our park units, this budget request makes clear that this administration is not committed to the park service intact. This budget would decimate the management of our national parks and monuments, and while you have said that the cuts are not targeting staff physically located at park units, the management of our parks..."
CRS Report
National Park System: What Do the Different Park Titles Signify?
Reports · Nov 15, 2023
Congress names individual units of the National Park System in the enabling legislation for each unit. In so doing, Congress establishes the range of titles used in the park system. The system’s 425...
CRS Report
National Park Service (NPS) Appropriations: TenYear Trends
Report · Jul 6, 2026
The National Park Service (NPS) receives appropriations in annual Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations acts. Over the past decade (FY2017-FY2026), NPS received both regular...
CRS Report
National Park Service Deferred Maintenance: Overview and Issues
Reports · Jul 25, 2024
The National Park Service (NPS) has a multibillion-dollar backlog of deferred maintenance—maintenance that was not performed as scheduled or as needed and was put off to a future time. NPS’s deferred...
CRS Report
Memorials and Commemorative Works Outside Washington, DC: Background, Federal Role, and Options for Congress
Report · Apr 21, 2026
Congress frequently faces questions about whether and how to commemorate people and events that have influenced the nation’s history. Congress sometimes has chosen to do so by establishing national...
CRS Report
The Federal Role in Historic Preservation: An Overview
Reports · Mar 22, 2024
Several long-standing statutes have established a framework for federal historic preservation activities. The most comprehensive of these statutes is the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966...
CRS Report
Protecting Clean Air in National Parks and Wilderness Areas
Resources · Nov 2, 2016
In 1977, major amendments to the Clean Air Act (CAA) included provisions for the prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) of air quality. The PSD provisions were enacted for several purposes,...
CRS Report
Climate Change Adaptation: Department of the Interior
Reports · Feb 25, 2021
The Department of the Interior (DOI) and many agencies within it, including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and...
Hearing Hearings to examine S.290, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to upgrade existing emergency communications centers in units of the National...
senate National Parks Subcommittee · Dec 9, 2025 · Request transcript
CRS Report
The Federal Land Management Agencies
Resources · Oct 7, 2024
The Property Clause in the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3, clause 2) provides Congress the authority to acquire, dispose of, and manage federal property. Currently, approximately 640...
Testimony SPEAKER_16
Legislative field hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Great American...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 12, 2026
"My name is Mike Ward, and I am testifying on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks. It's made up of over 5,000 members, all of whom are current, former, or retired employees and volunteers of the National Park Service. Our goal is to continue supporting the National Park Service mission and National Park Service employees for advocating for national park solutions based on law and sound science. I spent nearly four decades working for the National Park Service in many..."
Witness Mike Caldwell
National Park Service · 1 hearing
Witness Leslie Mattson
Grand Teton National Park Foundation · 1 hearing
Witness Kristen Brengel
National Parks Conservation Association · 1 hearing
Witness Chip Jenkins
National Park Service · 1 hearing
Witness Kyle Hart
National Parks Conservation Association · 1 hearing
Witness Mr. Bob Krumenaker
Big Bend National Park · 1 hearing
Witness Mr. Jeff Reinbold
National Park Foundation · 1 hearing
Witness Mr. Alan Spears
National Parks Conservation Association · 1 hearing
Witness Ms. Emily Chiles
Shenandoah National Park Trust · 1 hearing
Witness Mr. Charles Cuvelier
National Park Service · 1 hearing
Testimony MR. GARY WHEAT
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"It is something that the Muscogee Creek Nation supports. It will help our community develop in a place that has been a section of our community that's been economically challenged, as well as add jobs and create a gateway community to a national park, which would be Georgia's first national park, which for me, I think that's a goal to not only become America's newest national park, but Georgia's first. We thank you for your support and Congressman Bishop's support of HR 9416 and getting that..."
Hearing Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Treasury.
senate Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee · Apr 22, 2026 · Transcript · 4 transcript matches
SPEAKER_06 "I was passing that question on from people who asked me faces on the pass. Has he ever visited one of these? the National Park System. I'm talking about our national parks. That's the park passes people have. The park passes also apply We have a difference of opinion. Secretary Burgum, you are here to ask for requests for your budget. It is hard to talk about next year's funding when a lot of this year's funding has not gone out the door. Your agency has been sitting on critical invasive species funding for the European green crab. This is a population that is not slowing down. It's why..."
Hearing Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of Energy.
senate Energy and Water Development Subcommittee · Apr 22, 2026 · Transcript · 4 transcript matches
SPEAKER_06 "I was passing that question on from people who asked me faces on the pass. Has he ever visited one of these? the National Park System. I'm talking about our national parks. That's the park passes people have. The park passes also apply We have a difference of opinion. Secretary Burgum, you are here to ask for requests for your budget. It is hard to talk about next year's funding when a lot of this year's funding has not gone out the door. Your agency has been sitting on critical invasive species funding for the European green crab. This is a population that is not slowing down. It's why..."
Testimony SCOTT, AUSTIN
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"Thank you, Madam Chair, Ranking Member, and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to speak on H.R. 9416, which would redesignate the Okmulgee Mounds National Historic Park in Macon as the Okmulgee Mounds National Park for the first national park in our great state of Georgia. This redesignation is the culmination of a decades-long bipartisan effort dating back to 1934. In 2014, Congressman Bishop and I, along with Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isaacson, advanced..."
Testimony CLYBURN, JAMES E.
Fiscal Year 2027 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill and ...
house Appropriations Committee · Jun 3, 2026
"nation. When I came to Congress, South Carolina had no national parks. Today, we have three. The Congaree National Park, the Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. In 2024, visitor spending in communities near national parks resulted in a $55.6 billion benefit to the nation's economy and supported over 400,000 jobs. That is according to the National Park Service. Last year, the big ugly bill the Reconstruction Era National..."
Hearing Hearings to examine the nomination of Kevin Lilly, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife.
senate Environment and Public Works Committee · Jun 24, 2026 · Transcript · 3 transcript matches
KEVIN LILLY "Yes, sir, and we certainly do. honored that New River Gorge is the 63rd and most recent National Park in the National Park Service. And I think your question is a great one for multiple reasons, not just for New River Gorge. I think it is the importance of leadership in an organization. One of the benefits that I've had of having a bit of a diverse background is understanding that culture within an organization is critical. And creating a culture of excellence,"
Hearing Business meeting to consider S.1547, to amend title 54, United States Code, to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund.
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jun 17, 2026 · Transcript · 3 transcript matches
DAINES, STEVE "The Great America Outdoors Act was viewed as one of the greatest conservation wins in 50 years. I think similarly now we extend the work that was done with that bill by reauthorizing this tremendous investment in addressing the maintenance backlog in our national parks and national forests. This amendment and the bill we're sending to the full Senate represents a bipartisan and bicameral collaborative"
Hearing Hearings to examine the state of the U.S. Territories.
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jun 17, 2026 · Transcript · 3 transcript matches
DAINES, STEVE "The Great America Outdoors Act was viewed as one of the greatest conservation wins in 50 years. I think similarly now we extend the work that was done with that bill by reauthorizing this tremendous investment in addressing the maintenance backlog in our national parks and national forests. This amendment and the bill we're sending to the full Senate represents a bipartisan and bicameral collaborative"
Testimony MALOY, CELESTE
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"Congress, she was a respected leader on this committee where she chaired the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources and championed the responsible management of our nation's natural resources. Representative Cuban also led the legislation that established the center in 1998. Renaming the center she helped create is a fitting tribute to her enduring legacy and will continue to highlight the story of America's westward expansion in the Equality State. Representative McClintock's H.R. 8454..."
Testimony KEVIN LILLY
Hearings to examine the nomination of Kevin Lilly, of Texas, to be Ass...
senate Environment and Public Works Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"Yes, sir, and we certainly do. honored that New River Gorge is the 63rd and most recent National Park in the National Park Service. And I think your question is a great one for multiple reasons, not just for New River Gorge. I think it is the importance of leadership in an organization. One of the benefits that I've had of having a bit of a diverse background is understanding that culture within an organization is critical. And creating a culture of excellence,"
Hearing Business meeting to consider S.365 and H.R.1729, bills to amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to allow for...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jul 16, 2026 · Request transcript · 2 transcript matches
HEINRICH, MARTIN "on clean energy, on land conservation, and stewardship, and on environmental protection. It has also waged a war on the West by trying to sell public lands and erase our history from our national parks and monuments. I have no reason to believe that these nominees, if confirmed, will chart a different course. I will, however, make an exception for Mr."
Testimony BISHOP, SANFORD D.
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"this Saturday, it is vital that we preserve and protect our ancient history, including the stories of the indigenous peoples who lived here long before July 4th, 1776. I urge the support and be happy to answer any questions. I yield back. I'd just like to ask Mr. Wheat if he would just emphasize the tremendous impact that the designation of the Ogamogan Mounds National Park designation as a national park would have for our area and for the state economically and culturally. Thank you,..."
Testimony HEINRICH, MARTIN
Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Apr 29, 2026
"The budget proposal that we're discussing today tells us a lot about what this administration's priorities are, and I was very pleased to see that you have abandoned last year's proposal to get rid of many units of the National Park System, but even though you've agreed to keep our park units, this budget request makes clear that this administration is not committed to the park service intact. This budget would decimate the management of our national parks and monuments, and while you have said..."
Hearing Business meeting to consider S.90, to prohibit the use of funds by the Secretary of the Interior to finalize and implement certain travel...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Feb 4, 2026 · Request transcript
Testimony LEE, MIKE
Hearings to examine the nominations of William Hague, of Washington, t...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jun 23, 2026
"Our second witness today will be Mr. Kevin Lilley of Texas to be the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. He served in that role in an acting capacity since June 2025, overseeing the National Park Service with its 63 national parks covering 85 million acres. The Assistant Secretary also manages the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is composed of over 850 million acres on land and"
Testimony WESTERMAN, BRUCE
Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"with the support of 140 bipartisan co-sponsors, 70 Republicans and 70 Democrats, and more than 140 organizations. The process began last Congress when the committee held oversight hearings to examine the implementation of GAOA. In this Congress, the committee traveled to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and to Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas to see the LRF's firsthand and to hear from local stakeholders about ideas to improve the program for the"
Testimony SPEAKER_06
Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fi...
senate Appropriations Committee · Apr 22, 2026
"I was passing that question on from people who asked me faces on the pass. Has he ever visited one of these? the National Park System. I'm talking about our national parks. That's the park passes people have. The park passes also apply We have a difference of opinion. Secretary Burgum, you are here to ask for requests for your budget. It is hard to talk about next year's funding when a lot of this year's funding has not gone out the door. Your agency has been sitting on critical invasive..."
Testimony SPEAKER_06
Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fi...
senate Appropriations Committee · Apr 22, 2026
"I was passing that question on from people who asked me faces on the pass. Has he ever visited one of these? the National Park System. I'm talking about our national parks. That's the park passes people have. The park passes also apply We have a difference of opinion. Secretary Burgum, you are here to ask for requests for your budget. It is hard to talk about next year's funding when a lot of this year's funding has not gone out the door. Your agency has been sitting on critical invasive..."
Testimony CAPITO, SHELLEY MOORE
Hearings to examine the nomination of Kevin Lilly, of Texas, to be Ass...
senate Environment and Public Works Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"In this position, how will you work with Director Nesvig to ensure that the implementation of the ESA protects endangered species without a stonewalling effect? a minute left here, and this is not a brief topic, but it's the national parks. Obviously, they are stellar. West Virginia's National Park was signed into law by President Trump in 2020 as the latest park, the 63rd Park, and I mentioned its successes. It's a real source of pride for all of us in our state. How will you, using your..."
Testimony CLYBURN, JAMES E.
Budget Hearing – Department of Transportation
house Appropriations Committee · May 21, 2026
"history of this country. I think if you consider a trip like that to one of all three of these heritage corridors, it would be welcome in South Carolina and I think it would highlight a history that all of us ought to grow to be proud of. Now we also have three national parks. You can come and go to the national parks. All six of these, these three parks, these three heritage corridors, all creations of those truly. And so I would like to have you come down and bring some attention to it I..."
Testimony SPEAKER_06
Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fi...
senate Appropriations Committee · Apr 22, 2026
"you just talked about staff leaving. You are actually conflating seasonal hires with permanent staff when you throw all the numbers together. My time is almost up and I do want to ask you a question. Since President Trump put his face on the National Park Pass, has he visited a single one of our national parks since he was sworn in? I was passing that question on from people who asked me faces on the pass. Has he ever visited one of"
Testimony SPEAKER_06
Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fi...
senate Appropriations Committee · Apr 22, 2026
"you just talked about staff leaving. You are actually conflating seasonal hires with permanent staff when you throw all the numbers together. My time is almost up and I do want to ask you a question. Since President Trump put his face on the National Park Pass, has he visited a single one of our national parks since he was sworn in? I was passing that question on from people who asked me faces on the pass. Has he ever visited one of"
Testimony DAINES, STEVE
Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Apr 29, 2026
"Secretary Burgum, good to have you back up on the Hill. I want to talk about our national parks and Angus King and I are the co-chairs of the National Parks Subcommittee. We don't even actually call ourselves the ranking member or the"
Testimony CLYBURN, JAMES E.
Fiscal Year 2027 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill and ...
house Appropriations Committee · Jun 3, 2026
"million in fees paid by park visitors for unauthorized and unwarranted vanity projects. As we approach the commemoration of our nation's 250th birthday, I hope that all of our national parks can fully showcase the natural beauty of our country. This begins with ensuring that the National Park Service is both fully funded and staffed. As a former high school history teacher, it is equally important to me that our monuments, sites, and parks accurately reflect the full story of our nation's..."
Testimony LEGER FERNANDEZ, TERESA
Legislative field hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Great American...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 12, 2026
"We need it. But funding alone will not maintain and restore these sites. We also need the people. And we heard earlier in the testimony that the National Park Service has lost one in four of the permanent staff. Deputy Secretary McGregor, can you commit to us that the National Park Service will restore permanent positions so that we can actually carry out all of the important work our visitors. Well, I didn't get my mic off, but now I'm going to just ask a question. Mr. Ward, if you could..."
Testimony PINGREE, CHELLIE
Fiscal Year 2027 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill and ...
house Appropriations Committee · Jun 3, 2026
"the public lands and resources the administration is trying to use for this. So what will be the excuse today? President Trump claimed the arch would be privately funded, but he then diverted $15 million from the National Endowment for the Humanities for this arch. That is money that should support history and culture and education, museums, and humanities programs across the country in our home districts. National Park Service resources are also being used, and the administration is reportedly..."
Testimony BISHOP, SANFORD D.
Fiscal Year 2027 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill and ...
house Appropriations Committee · Jun 3, 2026
"and disadvantaged communities to build safe drinking water and waste disposal systems will benefit anyone. I think everyone here understands that when you keep pushing back infrastructure repairs, the damage gets worse, and a simple fix turns into an expensive headache. It's incredibly short-sighted to do this. I'm also disappointed that the bill makes little investment in the National Park Service's budget. Since 2025, our parks have been burdened by staff cuts, hiring barriers, reduced hours..."
Testimony SPEAKER_13
Legislative field hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Great American...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 12, 2026
"You know, when so much is at stake, it becomes an American responsibility. It's our legacy and our solemn promise to the people and generations we will never meet. The Great Americans Outdoor Act represents one of the most important conservation achievements in recent history because it recognizes that protecting our public lands requires more than good intentions. It requires action. This act will help address decades of deferred maintenance through our national park system. But the work is..."
Testimony RANDALL, EMILY
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"enter into the record from the Thurland family and from former Senator St. Clair Williams. Without objection. Thank you. H.R. 1693 redesignates the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming after former Representative Barbara Cuban and listening to her legacy it sounds like she had such a meaningful impact on her state. I do want to mention that the long-standing National Park Service policy limits honorary redesignations to those who are no longer with us and unless we..."
Testimony KAPTUR, MARCY
Fiscal Year 2027 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill and ...
house Appropriations Committee · Jun 3, 2026
"their location in a floodplain near the Potomac River. It's a complicated repair job. We know that. I look forward to working with this or any president and any member of this committee to ensure that memorial's repairs to honor the profound achievement in the 20th century of liberty over tyranny of our greatest generation. With America's 250th anniversary approaching, we have a timely opportunity to refurbish one of the three most visited sites in the entire National Park Service. For that..."
Testimony STAUBER, PETE
Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Ms. Grijalva, I will echo what the chairman just said. It was a privilege to serve with your father, and it's also a privilege to serve with you, and I thank you for your passion and your comments. I rise in strong support of HR 9250, the Great American Outdoors Act 250, and want to begin by thanking the chairman and the ranking member for their work in developing a good bipartisan bill that reauthorizes the Legacy Restoration Fund for another five years. Our..."
Testimony STAUBER, PETE
Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"to the American people. The Legacy Restoration Fund is key to making this all possible. Just as I was proud to support its initial authorization five years ago, I'm proud to reauthorize and strengthen the program in the bill before us today. In addition to providing important funding for our national parks, national forests, and other public lands, this legislation will streamline the permitting and completion of maintenance projects, help identify and prioritize the most important projects for..."
Testimony SPEAKER_18
An oversight hearing to examine the Colorado river basin, including po...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jun 10, 2026
"These funds acquire public lands for conservation and for recreational use. But because they are acquired lands, minerals on them are governed by the Mineral Leasing Act for acquired lands, the law of this underlying bill amends today. Now, while the MLA for acquired lands excludes areas within national parks, national monuments, that exclusion does not cover many LWCF acquisitions, especially those targeting recreational access to public lands, which open up new trailheads or new stream..."
Testimony HYDE-SMITH, CINDY
Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Apr 29, 2026
"Thank you, because it is critical for my state. Turning to the National Park Service, I want to thank the department for the work that you've done to install a new superintendent in the Vicksburg National Military Park. You know, that's one of the most visited sites in the entire country, and we're very proud of that, and I appreciate your efforts to make sure that continues. We look forward to his leadership, working with him to continue improving one of Mississippi's greatest attributes that..."
Testimony HURD, JEFF
Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"My district in western and southern Colorado is home to some of the most extraordinary public lands in our country. We have three national parks, three national monuments, six national forests, and millions of acres of publicly managed land. These places belong to all Americans, but stewardship requires more than"
Testimony SPEAKER_02
Memorializing our Veterans: Outreach, Upkeep, and Community Partnershi...
house Veterans' Affairs Committee · Jun 30, 2026
"We've enhanced our online databases, on-site touchscreen kiosks, giving visitors better access to explore these burial records. ABMC offers lesson plans, educational briefings, interactive digital maps, and other classroom resources to bring the stories of America's overseas military service into schools and communities in the United States. And through partnerships with organizations like the Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Park Service, National World War I and World War II museums,..."
Testimony DAINES, STEVE
Business meeting to consider S.1547, to amend title 54, United States ...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jun 17, 2026
"The Great America Outdoors Act was viewed as one of the greatest conservation wins in 50 years. I think similarly now we extend the work that was done with that bill by reauthorizing this tremendous investment in addressing the maintenance backlog in our national parks and national forests. This amendment and the bill we're sending to the full Senate represents a bipartisan and bicameral collaborative"
Testimony DAINES, STEVE
Hearings to examine the state of the U.S. Territories.
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jun 17, 2026
"The Great America Outdoors Act was viewed as one of the greatest conservation wins in 50 years. I think similarly now we extend the work that was done with that bill by reauthorizing this tremendous investment in addressing the maintenance backlog in our national parks and national forests. This amendment and the bill we're sending to the full Senate represents a bipartisan and bicameral collaborative"
Testimony GRIJALVA, ADELITA S.
Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"public lands, cultural resources, and the natural heritage for generations to come. That commitment is especially important in Arizona, where public lands are woven into the identity of our economy. My state is home to some of the most iconic public lands in the country, including the Grand Canyon, Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and Ironwood Forest National Monument, along with countless other parks, wildlife refuges, forests, wilderness areas, and culturally..."
Hearing Hearings to examine the nominations of William Hague, of Washington, to be an Assistant Secretary, Kevin Lilly, of Texas, to be Assistant...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jun 23, 2026 · Transcript
LEE, MIKE "Our second witness today will be Mr. Kevin Lilley of Texas to be the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. He served in that role in an acting capacity since June 2025, overseeing the National Park Service with its 63 national parks covering 85 million acres. The Assistant Secretary also manages the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is composed of over 850 million acres on land and"
Hearing Budget Hearing – Department of Transportation
house Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee · May 21, 2026 · Transcript
CLYBURN, JAMES E. "history of this country. I think if you consider a trip like that to one of all three of these heritage corridors, it would be welcome in South Carolina and I think it would highlight a history that all of us ought to grow to be proud of. Now we also have three national parks. You can come and go to the national parks. All six of these, these three parks, these three heritage corridors, all creations of those truly. And so I would like to have you come down and bring some attention to it I think your road trip will do that for"
Hearing An oversight hearing to examine the Colorado river basin, including post-2026 operations negotiations.
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jun 10, 2026 · Transcript
SPEAKER_18 "These funds acquire public lands for conservation and for recreational use. But because they are acquired lands, minerals on them are governed by the Mineral Leasing Act for acquired lands, the law of this underlying bill amends today. Now, while the MLA for acquired lands excludes areas within national parks, national monuments, that exclusion does not cover many LWCF acquisitions, especially those targeting recreational access to public lands, which open up new trailheads or new stream access, new access for hunters and fishermen, and we want to be able to protect those acquisitions and..."
Hearing Memorializing our Veterans: Outreach, Upkeep, and Community Partnerships at Veterans Cemeteries
house Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee · Jun 30, 2026 · Transcript
SPEAKER_02 "We've enhanced our online databases, on-site touchscreen kiosks, giving visitors better access to explore these burial records. ABMC offers lesson plans, educational briefings, interactive digital maps, and other classroom resources to bring the stories of America's overseas military service into schools and communities in the United States. And through partnerships with organizations like the Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Park Service, National World War I and World War II museums, we encourage reflections about services. Additionally, we operate 10 visitor"
Hearing Hearings to examine challenges and opportunities with implementing the Endangered Species Act.
senate Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife Subcommittee · Mar 18, 2026 · Transcript
RICKETTS, PETE "Is that right? As CEO of PERC, Mr. Yablonski helps lead national conservation issues ranging from national parks management and national forest restoration, elk migrations on ranch lands, endangered species recovery, to the Great Salt Lake conservation and market-based private land stewardship. Before moving to Montana, Brian served as chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state agency directed to conserve and manage Florida's wildlife and marine resources. Mr. Blonsky, you are recognized for your five"
Hearing Oversight hearing titled “The Federal Reclamation Program’s Next Century”
house Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee · May 20, 2026 · Transcript
JENNIFER PATRICK "You could look at the map of Montana, rip the entire top half off, and that's what we serve as the Milk River Project. I said in my testimony earlier, it was about 729 river miles. And we start in Glacier National Park and go all the way to the end of the state in the Glasgow National Area. So that's farms, ranches, economy, everything all the way along that as"
Hearing Business meeting to consider S.4949, to provide for improvements to the rivers and harbors of the United States, to provide for the conservation...
senate Environment and Public Works Committee · Jul 15, 2026 · Transcript
CAPITO, SHELLEY MOORE "the military, and most recently at the Department of Interior in the role of Assistant Secretary. In this role, he will provide senior policy leadership for both U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service, agencies that play a pivotal role in our conservation efforts and bolstering recreation and tourism opportunities. Mr. Lilly, in my opinion, is an excellent choice for this role. I look forward to supporting Mr. Lilly's nomination at a later committee meeting, and I strongly encourage my colleagues to support our water bill today. And with that, I'll turn to Ranking Member..."
Hearing Hearings to examine S.1791, to designate certain special management areas, wildlife conservation areas, protection areas, recreation areas,...
senate Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee · Jul 15, 2026 · Transcript
HEINRICH, MARTIN "I'd like to end my statement today with a similar sentiment to one that I have shared in the past. This hearing and next week's National Parks Legislative hearing will add to our growing list of land-based conservation bills ready for markup. Many of these bills have the same level of community support and input as my bill on the agenda today, yet those voices of support are going"
Hearing “Field of Fees: Private Equity’s Role in the Commercialization of American Youth Sports”
house Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee · Jun 30, 2026 · Transcript
BONAMICI, SUZANNE "industry, the Trump administration is hurting rather than helping with youth access. Their fiscal year 2027 budget proposes cutting $2.3 billion from the Department of Education and more than $1.1 billion with national parks and recreation areas. These reductions directly contribute to the lack of accessible sports and outdoor programs. But fortunately, there are solutions. Our Democratic witness, Ms. Van Dyke, will discuss some reforms Congress and the administration should consider, including greater transparency around fees and business practices, robust antitrust enforcement, and..."
Hearing H.R. 8800 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027; H.R. 8884 – Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act; H. Res....
house Rules Committee · Jun 29, 2026 · Transcript
SCANLON, MARY GAY "Some of our experts are saying that this is going to cannibalize our defense budget with just directing so much funding to this boondoggle of a battleship. We're already seeing some of these vanity projects cannibalize other budgets, like the National Park Service, et cetera. So I do think we should be very concerned about that, but I appreciate all the work you've put into this, and I'll yield"
Hearing "Reviewing Partnerships to Enhance Management of the National Forest System"
house Forestry and Horticulture Subcommittee · Jun 25, 2026 · Transcript
SPEAKER_04 "Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So I first want to say our relationships with the U.S. Forest Service law enforcement folks on the ground are solid. We have great respect for each other. We work together every day. We are friends with the folks here in D.C. at the management level as well. We spend a lot of time together. The problem is that we weren't heard on this criminal prohibitions rule, and the issue isn't necessarily all of the details of the rule. We had some parts of the rule that we could support. The problem we had was there are some parts of the rule that are clearly, you know, outside..."
Hearing Oversight hearing titled "Beneath the Surface: Earth MRI and America's Resource Potential"
house Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee · Jun 25, 2026 · Transcript
SPEAKER_00 "We're always interested in supporting tribes and their interest if they want us to collect data on their land, but where we collect the data does depend on that interest. But beyond that, of course, our priorities on say national park lands are not as high as they are elsewhere, but sometimes there's geology to understand in the parks that informs geology outside of the parks. To the extent that we have the resources to do that,"
Testimony WESTERMAN, BRUCE
Legislative field hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Great American...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 12, 2026
"Across the Department of Interior, the program has funded hundreds of projects, improved thousands of assets, supported jobs, and addressed billions of dollars in deferred maintenance. Here in Arkansas alone, more than $52 million has been invested in projects at Hot Springs National Park, the Buffalo National River, the Dell Bumpers-White River National Wildlife Refuge, and the Ouachita National Forest. Those investments have improved visitor access, strengthened recreation opportunities, and..."
Testimony SPEAKER_00
Legislative field hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Great American...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 12, 2026
"Through the Great American Outdoors Act, nearly $38 million has been invested in projects across Arkansas, helping improve almost 150 public land assets throughout the state. As of March 2025, these investments have supported projects at Hot Springs National Park, the Buffalo National River, and Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most important waterfowl habitats in North"
Testimony RICKETTS, PETE
Hearings to examine challenges and opportunities with implementing the...
senate Environment and Public Works Committee · Mar 18, 2026
"Is that right? As CEO of PERC, Mr. Yablonski helps lead national conservation issues ranging from national parks management and national forest restoration, elk migrations on ranch lands, endangered species recovery, to the Great Salt Lake conservation and market-based private land stewardship. Before moving to Montana, Brian served as chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state agency directed to conserve and manage Florida's wildlife and marine resources. Mr...."
Testimony SPEAKER_16
Legislative field hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Great American...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 12, 2026
"And I'd like to address this in two ways very quickly. The first is regarding the operation of National Park Service units, and the second is staffing at regional and national service centers that support the parks operationally and directly on project support. From the operational standpoint, I can tell you that my own personal experience is that NPS employees will show up every day and do whatever is necessary to protect the resources in their park and to serve the visitors as well as they..."
Testimony SPEAKER_12
Legislative field hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Great American...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 12, 2026
"The employees of downtown businesses are frontline ambassadors for the national park. They're the ones that get the question, where's the park entrance? And likewise, national park rangers are frontline ambassadors for the businesses of Hot Springs when people say, hey, where's a good place to eat around here? Hot Springs National Park has no"
Testimony MCCLINTOCK, TOM
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"the opportunity to discuss this bill the Akerson Meadowland Interchange Act. The bill is a straightforward proposal to improve stewardship over Akerson Meadow in the Sierra Nevada. It would transfer administrative jurisdiction over approximately 160 acres of national forest system land to Yosemite National Park and it would also transfer approximately 170 acres of park system land to be part of the Stanislaus National Forest. Senator Padilla is carrying identical legislation in the Senate. We..."
Hearing Business meeting to consider S.140, to address the forest health crisis on the National Forest System and public lands, S.332, to require a study...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jun 10, 2026 · Request transcript
Testimony HUFFMAN, JARED
Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"about here, our park rangers and other public servants. Over the past 18 months, every land management agency has experienced a devastating loss of staff at parks and public lands all over the country. We must address agency staffing if we're going to truly keep faith with America's best idea. We must also ensure that our national parks and our public lands tell the whole story of American history, including our complicated past and our shared future, and especially doing that on the eve of our..."
Testimony HAGEMAN, HARRIET M.
Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"Wyoming is home to many firsts. The first national park at Yellowstone, the first national forest at Shoshone, and the first national monument at Devil's Tower. Wyoming pioneered the creation of our public land system, and today I am proud to continue the tradition of caring for our most sacred landscapes by co-sponsoring and supporting the Great American Outdoors Act"
Hearing Legislative hearing on four bills: • H.R. 6778 (Rep. Beyer), “Parkway Safety and Reinvestment Act” • H.R. 7618 (Rep. Kiggans), “American...
house Federal Lands Subcommittee · Mar 26, 2026 · Request transcript
Witness: Mr. Charles Cuvelier, National Park Service
Hearing Oversight Hearing on "All in for America250: Public-Private Partnerships Supporting America’s Semiquincentennial on our Public Lands"
house Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee · Feb 10, 2026 · Request transcript
Witness: Mr. Jeff Reinbold, National Park Foundation
Hearing Oversight hearing titled “Unleashing a Golden Age: Examining the Use of Federal Lands to Power American Technological Innovation.”
house Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee · May 21, 2025 · Request transcript
Witness: Kyle Hart, National Parks Conservation Association
Hearing Field Hearing: Oversight hearing titled “The Great American Outdoors Act: Modernizing and Maintaining National Parks to Celebrate America’s 250th...
house Natural Resources Committee · Sep 5, 2025 · Request transcript
Witness: Leslie Mattson, Grand Teton National Park Foundation
Hearing Legislative hearing on the following bills: • H.R. 309 (Rep. Nehls), “National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community...
house Federal Lands Subcommittee · Sep 18, 2025 · Request transcript
Witness: Mike Caldwell, National Park Service
Hearing Legislative hearing on: H.R. 1820 (Rep. Ciscomani), “Federal Lands Amplified Security for the Homeland Act” or the “FLASH Act”.
house Federal Lands Subcommittee · Mar 11, 2025 · Request transcript
Witness: Mr. Bob Krumenaker, Big Bend National Park
Testimony SCOTT, AUSTIN
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"dating back to 1934. In 2014, Congressman Bishop and I, along with Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isaacson, advanced legislation that ultimately became part of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation Management and Recreation Act in 2019. That law expanded the park boundary, launched a special resource study completed in 2023, and established the current historical park designation. The bill before you is a straightforward next step. It makes no changes to the park boundary and focuses on..."
Testimony WESTERMAN, BRUCE
Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"I do oppose this amendment because I think it's a matter of fairness when you look at the big picture. If you look at the revenue streams that go to take care of our parks and public lands on the national parks, there's two streams. Americans pay their"
Testimony SPEAKER_12
Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fi...
senate Appropriations Committee · Apr 22, 2026
"Why is the Park Service not more of a priority in this budget? I think the question that there's so many layers. I think you'll find a lot of support for putting more people in the parks, but I've visited three national parks in the last month and all of them were understaffed. in the regional offices in D.C., but I haven't seen the increase at the actual park units. I"
Testimony SPEAKER_12
Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fi...
senate Appropriations Committee · Apr 22, 2026
"Why is the Park Service not more of a priority in this budget? I think the question that there's so many layers. I think you'll find a lot of support for putting more people in the parks, but I've visited three national parks in the last month and all of them were understaffed. in the regional offices in D.C., but I haven't seen the increase at the actual park units. I"
Testimony LEE, MIKE
Business meeting to consider S.1547, to amend title 54, United States ...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jun 17, 2026
"And I hope we can continue working together to identify additional offsets as the bill moves through the Senate process and advances to and through the floor. America's national parks are a source of great national pride. It's my hope that if we can continue working together as we have today and in the days leading up to it, we can pass them on to the next generation in a condition that will make us all"
Testimony LEE, MIKE
Hearings to examine the state of the U.S. Territories.
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jun 17, 2026
"And I hope we can continue working together to identify additional offsets as the bill moves through the Senate process and advances to and through the floor. America's national parks are a source of great national pride. It's my hope that if we can continue working together as we have today and in the days leading up to it, we can pass them on to the next generation in a condition that will make us all"
Testimony SPEAKER_12
Legislative field hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Great American...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 12, 2026
"Welcome to all of our distinguished guests, and thank you for being here. On behalf of everyone from Hot Springs, let me tell you how proud we are to have Hot Springs National Park as our front yard and Ouachita National Forest as our backyard. These are world-class public"
Testimony CAPITO, SHELLEY MOORE
Hearings to examine the nomination of Kevin Lilly, of Texas, to be Ass...
senate Environment and Public Works Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"I highly recommend it. The park has defied the failing attendant trends facing other national parks. The New River Gorge posted a 9.5% increase in attendance in"
Testimony MCBRIDE, SARAH
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"We've conducted surveys of key local administrators, and we've received overwhelmingly positive support from local governments, park partners, across all nine counties. And we've also coordinated with our local National Park Service office, as well as the folks that run the National Scenic Trail Program. And after months of outreach, we know of no opposition to this study or to a National Scenic Trail designation. So we think that a feasibility study would be a prudent, a logical, an exciting..."
Testimony HEINRICH, MARTIN
Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Apr 29, 2026
"this administration would cut the land resources account by 48 percent. That's just a fact. The Wildlife Management Aquatic Resources Program by 70 percent. It would cut management of national conservation lands, including our national monuments, recreation areas, and national trails by 75 percent, and I would point out that those national monuments are major drivers of economic development in my state. I don't know anyone in New Mexico that thinks we spend too much money on wildlife. We may..."
Testimony MCCORMICK, DAVID
Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Apr 29, 2026
"And we're the home in Pennsylvania to 20 NPS sites, ranging from Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia to the Delaware Water Gap in northeastern Pennsylvania to the Johnstown Flood National Memorial. In 2024, 8 million park visitors spend an estimated $425 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Pennsylvania. With so many people, particularly in this"
Testimony JENNIFER PATRICK
Oversight hearing titled “The Federal Reclamation Program’s Next Centu...
house Natural Resources Committee · May 20, 2026
"You could look at the map of Montana, rip the entire top half off, and that's what we serve as the Milk River Project. I said in my testimony earlier, it was about 729 river miles. And we start in Glacier National Park and go all the way to the end of the state in the Glasgow National Area. So that's farms, ranches, economy, everything all the way along that as"
Testimony SPEAKER_02
Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Apr 29, 2026
"Under prior administrations, this force had been essentially defunded. Under President Trump's leadership, the U.S. Park Police has expedited the hiring of more than 300 new officers to help keep our nation's capital and national parks safe and beautiful. This budget includes an increase of $111 million for these dedicated law enforcement officers, the equipment and the tools they need to operate to keep our national capital region fully staffed and safe. Simply put, this budget puts America's..."
Testimony SPEAKER_13
Business meeting to consider S.1547, to amend title 54, United States ...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jun 17, 2026
"However, the substitute amendment before us today would change the bill significantly from the one I chose and agreed to co-sponsor. Specifically, I'm concerned about the amendments approach towards non-resident visitor fees. In January, the Park Service implemented a whopping $100 per person surcharge for non-resident visitors at 11 national parks, including"
Testimony PADILLA, ALEX
Hearings to examine the state of the U.S. Territories.
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jun 17, 2026
"However, the substitute amendment before us today would change the bill significantly from the one I chose and agreed to co-sponsor. Specifically, I'm concerned about the amendments approach towards non-resident visitor fees. In January, the Park Service implemented a whopping $100 per person surcharge for non-resident visitors at 11 national parks, including"
Testimony SPEAKER_02
Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fi...
senate Appropriations Committee · Apr 22, 2026
"You can have our commitment on that, and we're excited about Ross taking that role. I'm glad you got a West Virginian coming back. The park has seated expectations, beautiful spot. I had a chance to float it before it was a national park, and it's really spectacular. I see it as"
Testimony SPEAKER_02
Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fi...
senate Appropriations Committee · Apr 22, 2026
"You can have our commitment on that, and we're excited about Ross taking that role. I'm glad you got a West Virginian coming back. The park has seated expectations, beautiful spot. I had a chance to float it before it was a national park, and it's really spectacular. I see it as"
Testimony SPEAKER_12
Legislative field hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Great American...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 12, 2026
"I love national parks. I've visited quite a few and I've seen this phenomenon at all of them. You're driving usually in the middle of nowhere and you come up on a town of businesses and you know the park entrance must be close. Utah, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Hot Springs, Arkansas. Businesses and cities providing the tourism, providing the infrastructure for tourism. Without it, the visitor experience would be a disaster. Parks can't provide everything that's needed. And Hot Springs hasn't set..."
Testimony RANDALL, EMILY
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"is an appropriate sector to be included as a covered infrastructure in this particular permitting scheme and I'm excited to learn more in this hearing. In nearly every committee hearing I take a minute to talk about staffing and agency capacity. If we really want to enhance recreation across our federal lands we should be focusing on making sure federal land management agencies are fully staffed and have adequate resources. Additionally House Republicans are sitting on a recreation economy..."
Testimony HUFFMAN, JARED
Legislative field hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Great American...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 12, 2026
"utility systems, and structural repairs may not always be visible to the average visitor. But these things are absolutely vital. These investments keep people safe. They keep the gates open. They keep our parks ready for the crowds that show up every year. And the Great American Outdoors Act 250 will make sure that those things are prioritized. Our national parks were built on a simple idea. These are places that belong to all of us. They are meant to be common ground, where we come together to..."
Testimony SPEAKER_13
Legislative field hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Great American...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 12, 2026
"and there's this single street, and it's more than that a street. Forgive me, it's more than a street. But there's an expectation, and I think the parks want to live up to it. The parks want to have access in there. And so, I believe in what is here, and I believe in what can be improved. And I think that's the promise of the national parks, that they're never going to really be a place where you have to make the road wider. Because the infrastructure is a very real thing. It's very real to..."
Hearing • H.R. 755 (Rep. Ciscomani), “Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025” • H.R. 1352 (Rep. Subramanyam), To designate the General George C....
house Natural Resources Committee · Feb 11, 2026 · Request transcript
Testimony LEGER FERNANDEZ, TERESA
Legislative field hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Great American...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 12, 2026
"But as Mr. Kostner noted, I loved it when you said nature doesn't need help being perfect. But we all know that a park cannot take care of itself without funding and people. and people. The thermal springs need plumbing, maintenance and roads and trails is true for almost every single park we have. And the Great American Outdoors Act was key to the survival of the national park system. But today, we're writing the next and essential chapter of our story as we reauthorize that essential..."
Testimony RANDALL, EMILY
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"the loss of life and damage to communities and land. One of my favorite things about Natural Resources Committee is we have the opportunity, like today, to engage on several bipartisan bills and policy areas. Our national parks and public lands are topics in which we so often can find common ground. Just last week our committee marked up the America the Beautiful Act to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund. This bill is approaching 200 bipartisan sponsors, which means not only is it a cause..."
Testimony SCOTT, AUSTIN
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"generations. Additionally, this redesignation would bring impactful benefits to middle Georgia. National park status elevates the site's visibility, strengthens partnerships, and supports economic growth through increased tourism. I'm pleased to welcome Mr. Gary Wheat, President and CEO of Visit Macon, who will speak on the economic opportunities this designation would unlock for consideration, look forward to continuing to work together. I now yield the remainder of my time to my friend and..."
Testimony BISHOP, SANFORD D.
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"Thank you very much for yielding. Chairman Malloy, Ranking Member Randall, thank you for inviting Representative Scott and me to testify on behalf of our bill, H.R. 9416, the Mulgee Mountains National Park Redesignation Act. I'm also grateful that Gary Wheat, the President and CEO of Visit Macon, is here to testify on behalf of our legislation. In the interest of time, I'll keep my remarks brief. Congressman Scott and I have a long history of working together in a bipartisan fashion to preserve..."
Testimony BISHOP, SANFORD D.
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"Ocmulgee and ensure that its cultural and religious sites are protected now and into the future. It reflects key input from stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels, including the Muscogee Creek Nation, whose sacred and revered ancestral sites are located inside the proposed boundary. Legislation will create the first national park in the state of Georgia, and the designation could exponentially boost visitors to middle Georgia, bringing in more than $34 million annual tax revenue,..."
Testimony MR. GARY WHEAT
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today on behalf of HR 9416, the redesignation of Ocmulgee Mounds as America's 64th National Park and the first for the state of Georgia. I'm Gary Wheat, President and CEO of Visit Macon, I've also served on the Board of Directors for the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative for the past 10"
Testimony MR. GARY WHEAT
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"as well as active and civilian leadership of Robbins Air Force Base and the Muscogee Creek Nation. Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi River without a national park. Every year, millions of Americans plan vacations around our national parks, Every year, millions of Americans plan vacations around our national"
Testimony MR. GARY WHEAT
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"Today, it is an achievable opportunity. Independent economic analysis estimates that national park designation could ultimately attract an additional 1.3 million visitors to Middle Georgia every year. Those visitors are projected to generate approximately 206 million in annual economic"
Testimony MR. GARY WHEAT
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"stronger entrepreneurship, and a higher quality of life. With support from the Knight Foundation, we have designed a strategic plan to maximize the economic return of a national park designation while protecting the character and authenticity that make the place special. Through the vision of local"
Testimony MR. GARY WHEAT
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"Congress is being asked to unlock one that decades of local investment have already prepared. National Park is the most recognized destination brand in the world. It encourages private"
Testimony MR. GARY WHEAT
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"It is being asked to recognize what middle Georgia has already built. We respectfully ask for your support of HR 9416 so Georgia can welcome its first national park, park, creating lasting economic opportunity for our communities and preserving one of America's oldest stories for generations to come. Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate the opportunity to answer this question. And obviously from a cultural perspective, the Muscogee Creek Nation of their ancestral homes that..."
Testimony BEN BURR
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"I was not aware of that, but we will look into it. Yeah, I will say, I mean, the one example we can look at that actually has clear numbers to support this is Lake Powell. I mean, we can look at the National Park Service's economic data that they release by each park. And you can see that when there are low water years at Lake Powell, when that recreation infrastructure that is now inaccessible during low water years means the visitors can't come there, we see hundreds of millions of dollars..."
Testimony BEN BURR
Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 1693 (Rep. Hageman), To redesignate the...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jul 1, 2026
"years means the visitors can't come there, we see hundreds of millions of dollars get lost through that area around Page and Arizona, Kanab, Utah. But I'm also very close to the Boat Dealers Association and the folks that are selling the motorboats and the houseboats and the other vehicles that make it possible to go recreate on that lake. And they're not counted in the National Park Service's figures. And they're selling boats in Arizona or Salt Lake City. And so I think that just a reservoir..."
Testimony WESTERMAN, BRUCE
Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"Asset members may revise and extend the remarks on the bills to be considered at this markup and have those remarks included in the record without objection. So ordered. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recess of the committee at any time. Pursuant to committee rule three, I announce that I may postpone further proceedings today on the question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an amendment on which a recorded vote is ordered. I now recognize myself for an..."
Testimony WESTERMAN, BRUCE
Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"The result is a bipartisan, bicameral bill that builds on the success of the original law while incorporating lessons learned from the last five years. Reforms included in H.R. 9250 will encourage more public-private partnerships, better prioritize deferred maintenance projects to visitor-facing recreation assets, create new transparency and accountability requirements, and streamline project delivery. The result is that more visitors will be able to safely and reliably access campgrounds,..."
Testimony WESTERMAN, BRUCE
Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"These investments also have significant economic benefits. By improving visitor access and encouraging tourism, this legislation will support more than 72,000 jobs and over 26.4 billion dollars in economic activity for gateway and tribal communities near national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and public lands. Before I yield back, I want to thank and recognize Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum for championing the reauthorization of this important program. I also want to thank our..."
Testimony HUFFMAN, JARED
Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want to begin by recognizing you and your willingness to work across the aisle to invest in our national parks and public lands. We disagree on a fair number of things. That is pretty obvious to folks who track the proceedings of this committee, but despite all of that, this is not one of the things we disagree on funding our parks, and I want to thank you for the opportunity to work with you. Your staff has done a great job here, and it's a welcome beacon of..."
Testimony HUFFMAN, JARED
Markup of H.R. 9250 (Rep. Westerman), “Great American Outdoors Act 250...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 24, 2026
"funding our parks, and I want to thank you for the opportunity to work with you. Your staff has done a great job here, and it's a welcome beacon of progress in getting something done, even in a difficult political climate, although we still got to get it over the finish line. So, this moment reflects the overwhelming sentiment of the American people who believe our national parks and our public lands are treasures that have to be protected. Today, we will vote on a bipartisan bill, as you..."
Testimony HEINRICH, MARTIN
Business meeting to consider S.365 and H.R.1729, bills to amend the Jo...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jul 16, 2026
"on clean energy, on land conservation, and stewardship, and on environmental protection. It has also waged a war on the West by trying to sell public lands and erase our history from our national parks and monuments. I have no reason to believe that these nominees, if confirmed, will chart a different course. I will, however, make an exception for Mr."
Testimony LEE, MIKE
Business meeting to consider S.365 and H.R.1729, bills to amend the Jo...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jul 16, 2026
"All right, we'll take care of one other procedural matter while we're waiting. The previously discussed national park subcommittee hearing was not noticed for members on Tuesday. For that reason, in accordance with rule 4A of the committee rules, I ask unanimous consent that this subcommittee hearing be noticed following today's business meeting for Tuesday, July 21st, 2026, at 4.30 p.m. Is there"
Testimony CAPITO, SHELLEY MOORE
Business meeting to consider S.4949, to provide for improvements to th...
senate Environment and Public Works Committee · Jul 15, 2026
"the military, and most recently at the Department of Interior in the role of Assistant Secretary. In this role, he will provide senior policy leadership for both U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service, agencies that play a pivotal role in our conservation efforts and bolstering recreation and tourism opportunities. Mr. Lilly, in my opinion, is an excellent choice for this role. I look forward to supporting Mr. Lilly's nomination at a later committee meeting, and I strongly..."
Testimony HEINRICH, MARTIN
Hearings to examine S.1791, to designate certain special management ar...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Jul 15, 2026
"I'd like to end my statement today with a similar sentiment to one that I have shared in the past. This hearing and next week's National Parks Legislative hearing will add to our growing list of land-based conservation bills ready for markup. Many of these bills have the same level of community support and input as my bill on the agenda today, yet those voices of support are going"
Testimony BONAMICI, SUZANNE
“Field of Fees: Private Equity’s Role in the Commercialization of Amer...
house Education and Workforce Committee · Jun 30, 2026
"industry, the Trump administration is hurting rather than helping with youth access. Their fiscal year 2027 budget proposes cutting $2.3 billion from the Department of Education and more than $1.1 billion with national parks and recreation areas. These reductions directly contribute to the lack of accessible sports and outdoor programs. But fortunately, there are solutions. Our Democratic witness, Ms. Van Dyke, will discuss some reforms Congress and the administration should consider, including..."
Testimony SCANLON, MARY GAY
H.R. 8800 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027; H...
house Rules Committee · Jun 29, 2026
"Some of our experts are saying that this is going to cannibalize our defense budget with just directing so much funding to this boondoggle of a battleship. We're already seeing some of these vanity projects cannibalize other budgets, like the National Park Service, et cetera. So I do think we should be very concerned about that, but I appreciate all the work you've put into this, and I'll yield"
Testimony SPEAKER_04
"Reviewing Partnerships to Enhance Management of the National Forest S...
house Agriculture Committee · Jun 25, 2026
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So I first want to say our relationships with the U.S. Forest Service law enforcement folks on the ground are solid. We have great respect for each other. We work together every day. We are friends with the folks here in D.C. at the management level as well. We spend a lot of time together. The problem is that we weren't heard on this criminal prohibitions rule, and the issue isn't necessarily all of the details of the rule. We had some parts of the rule that we could..."
Testimony SPEAKER_00
Oversight hearing titled "Beneath the Surface: Earth MRI and America's...
house Natural Resources Committee · Jun 25, 2026
"We're always interested in supporting tribes and their interest if they want us to collect data on their land, but where we collect the data does depend on that interest. But beyond that, of course, our priorities on say national park lands are not as high as they are elsewhere, but sometimes there's geology to understand in the parks that informs geology outside of the parks. To the extent that we have the resources to do that,"
Hearing Hearings to examine S.90, to prohibit the use of funds by the Secretary of the Interior to finalize and implement certain travel management plans...
senate Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee · Dec 2, 2025 · Request transcript
Hearing H.J. Res. 60 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Park...
house Rules Committee · Apr 28, 2025 · Request transcript
Hearing Legislative hearing on: • H.R. 3924 (Rep. Neguse), “Wildfire Risk Evaluation Act” • H.R. 5095 (Rep. Patronis), “Housing Our Military Effectively...
house Federal Lands Subcommittee · Dec 11, 2025 · Request transcript
Hearing Business meeting to consider S.291, to establish an interest-bearing account for the non-Federal contributions to the Lower Colorado River...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Dec 17, 2025 · Request transcript
Hearing Business meeting to consider S.472, to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to provide for the establishment of a Ski...
senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Sep 11, 2025 · Request transcript