Articles

Today, the National Park Service (NPS) opened sections of the National Mall for a rally. Upon learning this, Congressman Rob Bishop (UT-01), Chairman of the House Public Lands and Environmental Regulation Subcommittee, is calling on the Administration and Senator Harry Reid to support legislation that would fund national parks while Congress continues to negotiate a budget agreement.  The Open Our National Parks and Museums Act[H.J. Res 70] was passed by the House and sent to the Senate on October 02, 2013.

“It is unfair that the National Park Service is hurting so many visitors, businesses and communities while at the same time selectively choosing who they want to help out.  If they make exceptions for a few, they should make exceptions for all. Furthermore, I have received anecdotal evidence of NPS staff taking things too far. There is absolutely no excuse for this and it’s clear that the actions of the Park Service are purely vindictive because they certainly aren’t necessary.  Businesses and communities across the country rely upon these lands to survive and the pain they are enduring today is the result of Senator Harry Reid’s obstinacy.  It’s time he allow the Senate to vote to keep our national parks open to the public and I hope the Administration will urge him to do so immediately.