WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the House Committee on Natural Resources unanimously reported H.R. 9250, the Great American Outdoors Act 250 to the House of Representatives. Following the Committee's action on this reauthorization, Members of the Congressional Western Caucus released the following statements:
“As America marks 250 years, a lot of Americans are going to hit the national parks. The Great American Outdoors Act can improve that experience by funding public lands management, addressing the maintenance backlog, and protecting our natural resources with real commitment. Using resource revenues to fund management is strengthening both our heritage and our future," said Chair Celeste Maloy.
“The Great American Outdoors Act 250 invests in repairs and modernization projects across our national parks, national forests, and wildlife refuges while reinforcing a simple principle: good stewardship begins with taking care of the assets we already have,” said Executive Vice Chair Congressman Nick Begich. “By improving and maintaining existing infrastructure, we can improve access and ensure responsible stewardship of our public lands. As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the Western Caucus remains committed to advancing policies that promote public access, support multiple-use management, and strengthen outdoor opportunities for all Americans.”
“This year, Americans are celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday. In the spirit of 1776, Congress is coming together to enhance access, improve visitor experiences and create new outdoor recreation opportunities at ‘America’s Best Idea’ – our national parks and public lands – and invest in Bureau of Indian Education facilities. This legislation conserves these uniquely American places and will create new opportunities in rural gateway and tribal communities. I would like to thank my bipartisan colleagues on the House Committee on Natural Resources for working together to advance this important legislation,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman.
“I’m delighted when we can pass excellent bipartisan legislation, making substantial policy differences for those who love our public lands,” said Vice Chair Aumua Amata Radewagen. “This five-year investment in America’s beautiful places is a fitting celebration of 250 years, and focuses on improving areas that need it most.”
“The Great American Outdoors Act made significant progress addressingthe maintenance backlog to plague our National Parks. GAOA 2.0 builds on the historic progress of the first law to extend restoration resources across our public lands in desperate need of attention. The preservation of these landscapes has been integral tothe story of America’s 250 years, and is fundamental to the prosperity of our next 250,”said Vice Chair Harriet Hageman.
“In Colorado alone, deferred maintenance needs on our public lands total nearly $900 million, affecting everything from visitor facilities to critical infrastructure. The Great American Outdoors Act helps address those longstanding challenges while ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and transparently, and it is an important step toward preserving our national parks and public lands to pass them on in better condition than we found them,” said Vice Chair Jeff Hurd.
“Our national parks offer cherished places for families to come together to explore, while serving as vital economic engines for communities across the country. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, I'm proud to support the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act 250, which makes historic investments in ourpublic lands and national parks like those in Michiganso future generations of Americans can continue to enjoy these treasured spaces,”said Congressman Tim Walberg.
“The Great American Outdoors Act 250 builds on President Trump’s landmark conservation legacy by investing in our public lands without burdening taxpayers. This commonsense legislation will improve access, address long-overdue maintenance needs, and support rural communities across Arizona and the West as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary,” said Congressman Paul Gosar
“Montanans understand that our public lands are more than places on a map. They support jobs, strengthen gateway communities, and are central to our way of life. The Great American Outdoors Act has already helped repair the roads, trails, and facilities that families rely on when they visit our national parks and public lands,” said Congressman Troy Downing. "Reauthorizingthis initiative will build on that progress, improve access, and ensure these treasured landscapes are preserved and enjoyed for generations to come.”
"Colorado is home to multiple national parks, many of which have significant infrastructure needs driven by heavy visitation," said Rep. Crank. "It is critical that we maintain these national treasures for the public's benefit and use, which is why I am proud to cosponsor the bipartisanGreat American Outdoors Act 250, ahead of our nation's 250th birthday. The passage of the GAOA 250 will increase access, improve recreation, and ensure that our nation's lands can be used to the fullest extent for generations to come,”said Congressman Jeff Crank.
Legislative Digest
H.R. 9250, the Great American Outdoors Act 250
Sponsor:Vice Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04)
Western Caucus Cosponsors: Chair Maloy (UT-02), Executive Vice Chair Begich (AK-AL), Vice Chair Amodei (NV-02), Vice Chair Bentz (OR-02), Vice Chair Hageman (WY-AL), Vice Chair Hurd (CO-03), Vice Chair Radewagen (AS-AL), Vice Chair Stauber (MN-08), Vice Chair Zinke (MT-01), Crane (AZ-02), Crank (CO-05), Downing (MT-02), Ellzey (TX-06), Fedorchak (ND-AL), Kennedy (UT-03), Miller (WV-01), Moore (UT-01), Owens (UT-04), Simpson (ID-02), Valadao (CA-22), Walberg (MI-05), Wittman (VA-01), Carter (GA-01), Wied (WI-08), Bost (IL-12), Fong (CA-20), Smith (MO-08), Tiffany (WI-07), and Joyce (OH-14)
Summary: The Great American Outdoors Act 250 (GAOA) will revitalize America’s national parks and public lands through $1.9 billion in annual investments, for the next five years. These investments will be funded by new foreign visitor fees, private donations, and onshore energy revenues, and will be used to improve land access, modernize recreation infrastructure, and complete high-priority deferred maintenance projects.
The GAOA will fund the restoration of campgrounds, trails, boat ramps, hunting and fishing sites, and other outdoor recreation opportunities for sportsmen and women. Over the next five years, the construction and maintenance of GAOA projects is expected to create 72,500 jobs and generate $26.4 billion in revenue for rural communities across the country.
