Daines, King, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan “America the Beautiful Act”

Reauthorizes LRF, Addresses Maintenance Backlog on Public Lands
Daines, King, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan “America the Beautiful Act”
Reauthorizes LRF, Addresses Maintenance Backlog on Public Lands
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Angus King (I-Maine) today held a press conference to announce the introduction of their bipartisan conservation bill, the “America the Beautiful Act.” This legislation builds on Daines’ 2020 landmark “Great American Outdoors Act” by strengthening and reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) and addressing the serious maintenance backlog in national parks and public lands.
“When President Trump signed my “Great American Outdoors Act” into law in 2020, it was the greatest conservation win for Montana and the entire country in 50 years. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to strengthen that win and protect our outdoor way of life for generations to come. The ‘America the Beautiful Act’ will fund crucial projects and address maintenance backlogs, so that people can get outside and enjoy the natural beauty we’re lucky to have here in the U.S.,”said Daines.
“People travel from across the globe to experience the natural beauty of America’s public lands – from Maine to Montana and across the nation. However, deferred repairs on aging infrastructure like roads and trails can become unsafe and diminish the visitor experience for those enjoying our public lands and National Parks. By addressing maintenance backlog and reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund, the bipartisan America the Beautiful Actwill help better protect our lands and the visitor experience. This is an important step forward in creating lasting protections for our public lands and continues to demonstrate that stewardship is not partisan,”said King.
Read the bill textHEREand a one pager on the billHERE.
Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) joined Daines and King in introducing the bill.
Background:
The “America the Beautiful Act” reauthorizes the LRF for through 2033 and increases funding to $2 billion per year to help address the maintenance backlog in national parks and public lands. Currently, the maintenance backlog for each agency is as follows:
The bill is an extension of Daines’ 2020 “Great American Outdoors Act,” which was signed into law by President Trump. Read the press release from 2020HERE.
Statements of Support:
“America’s parks are our legacy to uphold — and bold action is essential to fulfill that promise. The National Park Foundation applauds Senators Daines and King for their leadership in introducing bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund. Since its establishment through the Great American Outdoors Act, this vital program has already delivered billions toward transformative infrastructure projects across our national parks. As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, reauthorizing this investment affirms a bold democratic ideal — that every generation deserves to experience our parks as we do today. We look forward to working with Congress to ensure these magnificent landscapes and historic sites can continue welcoming visitors for generations to come.”-Jeff Reinbold, President and CEO, National Park Foundation
The America the Beautiful Act is supported by over 50 public lands, conservation and recreation groups. ClickHEREto view the full list of statements of support and supporting groups.
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Contact:Matt Lloyd,Gabby Wiggins