Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the U.S. Forest Service announced it will be issuing $248 million in Secure Rural Schools payments for 2025. These payments contribute to the support of public schools, the maintenance of local roads, the enhancement of wildfire preparedness, and the provision of other essential services in rural communities. Below are our Members statements on the announcement.

“Secure Rural Schools is a lifeline for rural America. Today, the federal government is recognizing its obligation to serve the communities that are surrounded by the land it manages,” said Chair Celeste Maloy.

“The Forest Service’s announcement of $248 million in Secure Rural Schools payments for 2025 is welcome news for rural communities across the West. These funds will help to ensure counties can fund schools, maintain roads, and provide public safety services despite the challenges of managing untaxable federal lands,” said Executive Vice Chair Nick Begich. “Secure Rural Schools has been a critical bridge for timber-dependent communities, and the Western Caucus will continue advocating for a long-term reauthorization that provides certainty and stability for our rural communities.”

“The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act isn’t just an education issue; it’s about investing in the future of rural America and supporting communities surrounded by federal forests,” said Vice Chair Bruce Westerman. “Many of my constituents in the Fourth District share my belief that our rural schools must be supported in a way that allows them to play a role as a community hub while also supporting our timber industry – the lifeblood for many of our communities across the Natural State. Today’s news is certainly a victory for rural schools across Arkansas and the nation.”

“This is important for rural communities across Colorado’s Third District that depend on Secure Rural Schools funding to support core services, including schools, roads, and public safety. Counties with large amounts of federal land have been operating at a disadvantage for too long, and these payments help close that gap so they can meet the needs of their residents. I will keep working to bring long term certainty to SRS and make sure rural Colorado is not overlooked,” said Vice Chair Jeff Hurd.

“This law, and the funding it provides, was designed to partially offset the massive decline in federal timber revenue. It provides a modest amount of funding for critical services including infrastructure maintenance (roads), wildfire mitigation, conservation projects, search and rescue operations, fire prevention initiatives, and most importantly, money for children’s education,” said Vice Chair Cliff Bentz.

"As a longtime supporter of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, I was pleased to support the SRS Reauthorization Act of 2025. This program has provided vital funding to build and fortify schools, roads, and other municipal services to more than seven hundred counties across the country and to Washington's Fourth District, including Klickitat, Okanogan, and Yakima counties," said Chairman Emeritus Dan Newhouse. "When funding for this program lapsed in 2023, schools closed, road and bridge maintenance was delayed, and public safety was jeopardized. I am thankful that now we have bipartisan support for our rural communities to ensure a lapse in funding does not happen again."

“Secure Rural Schools has been a vital program for communities and school districts in and around National Forest System land since its inception over two decades ago. Since payments were halted in 2023, communities across the country, including many throughout Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District, have faced deep uncertainty while waiting for the federal government to fulfill this obligation. I am pleased to see this release of funding finally underway and remain committed to working with my colleagues to ensure the federal government continues to deliver these essential wins for rural America,” said Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson.

“As someone who voted to reauthorize the ‘Secure Rural Schools’ program, I am glad to see these funds flow to Ninth District communities. It is not right for rural communities to miss out on property tax revenue from public lands that could be used for local schools and roads. I am glad that the ‘Secure Rural Schools’ program provides some relief to localities that contain tracts of federally owned national forest,” said Representative H. Morgan Griffith.

“Rural counties across Idaho depend on the Secure Rural Schools program. I'm pleased to see these funds allocated to help Idaho schools, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects. As a longtime supporter of the SRS program, I have been proud to advocate for critical funding alongside my Idaho colleagues, and we will continue to fight for a long-term solution,” said Representative Mike Simpson.

"Wisconsin is home to more than 1.5 million acres of federal forest land, and the Secure Rural Schools program helps ensure rural students and families aren’t left behind because of where they live. With this support, more rural communities can keep their schools open, maintain their roads, and keep emergency services running,” said Representative Tom Tiffany.

"Federal programs like SRS are vital to rural communities across America–including my home state of Idaho–where a significant portion of land is owned by the federal government. However, this funding has grown increasingly difficult to garner support for in the U.S. Congress, as states without vast federal landholdings often view this program as a subsidy. I am grateful to Speaker Johnson and House Republican Leadership for their collaborative efforts with my office to get legislation to provide payments through Fiscal Year 2026—in addition to lapsed payments for 2024 and 2025—on the House floor and passed. While I am very pleased to see these funds released, I will continue to advocate for a long-term solution in Congress," said Representative Russ Fulcher.