Fulcher on Announcement of Secure Rural Schools Payments, Helped Facilitate House Vote

 Subscribe For Newsletter Updates! $ About Biography Idaho’s First District Committee and Caucus Memberships Official Photos Contact Help with a Federal Agency Email Me Newsletter Sign-Up Request a Meeting Website Problem Legislation Issues Letters Newsroom Press Releases In the News Videos Services Commendations and Greetings Congressional App Challenge Congressional Art Competition Congressional Award Program Community Resources Flag Requests Help with a Federal Agency Internships Service Academy Nominations Tour Request Veterans History Project Veterans Resources Follow Follow Follow Follow Fulcher on Announcement of Secure Rural Schools Payments, Helped Facilitate House Vote Home Press Releases Fulcher on Announcement of Secure Rural Schools Payments, Helped Facilitate House Vote Apr 20, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (Idaho-01) released the following statement after the U.S. Forest Service announced it will issue $248 million in Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments for 2025 and $182 million in retroactive payments for 2024. These funds go to eligible states and counties with untaxed National Forest System lands. The announcement comes after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 in December of last year, which was later signed into law. The bill reauthorized the U.S. Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program through Fiscal Year 2026 and provided lapsed payments for 2024 and 2025, a measure Congressman Fulcher helped facilitate get on the House floor and advocated for with House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republican Leadership. “Federal programs like SRS are vital to Idaho’s rural communities, 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,” said Congressman Fulcher. “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.” Idaho counties will receive a total of $24 million in payments for Fiscal Year 2025 and $27 million for 2024. ### Office Locations Washington D.C. Office 1514 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-6611 Meridian Office 33 East Broadway Avenue, Suite 251 Meridian, ID 83642 Phone: (208) 888-3188 Fax: (208) 888-0894 Lewiston Office 313 D Street, Suite 107 Lewiston, ID 83501 Phone: (208) 743-1388 Coeur d’Alene Office 1250 West Ironwood Drive, Suite 200 Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 Phone: (208) 667-0127 Fax: (208) 667-0310 Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | House.gov Follow Follow Follow Follow