Why It Matters
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing on July 21 examining 25 bills that would reshape how America manages its protected lands. The bipartisan agenda signals momentum on park expansion and historic preservation, though time is running short with only a few work weeks remaining in Congress.
The hearing featured Charles Cuvelier, the National Park Service's Associate Director of Visitor and Resource Protection, as the administration's lead witness. The Trump administration has pursued a mixed agenda on parks, directing entry fee increases for foreign tourists while seeking to reshape park narratives. Congress, however, did not fully adopt the administration's fiscal year 2026 budget request, appropriating $3.267 billion instead.
The Big Picture
The 25-bill hearing represents routine bipartisan business on park policy, according to Chairman Steve Daines (R-MT). The agenda spans boundary expansions, heritage area designations, historic battlefield preservation, and administrative fixes touching nearly every region of the country.
The hearing comes as the nation marks its 250th anniversary, making historic site preservation a priority. For example, Pennsylvania alone is home to more than 20 national park sites, and the American Battlefield Protection Program has supported preservation projects at sites including Brandywine, Gettysburg, Fort Mifflin, Fort Necessity, and Thompson's Island. This year marks also the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn in Montana, and the 150th anniversary of the Nez Perce Wars is coming next year.
Senator Daines and Senator Angus King (I-ME) serve as co-chairs of the subcommittee. King noted the two enjoy national parks differently, with Daines as an outdoorsman and hiker, while King has visited 17 or 18 national parks by RV. This was Daines' twenty-second hearing as chairman or ranking member of the subcommittee.
What They're Saying
The witness roster was lean but focused. Charles Cuvelier represented the National Park Service, fielding questions on the agency's capacity to manage expanded park systems and heritage areas. Many of the 25 bills on the agenda carry bipartisan support or backing from state delegations, suggesting broad agreement on park management priorities.
The hearing examined flagship proposals including the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendment Act, which would reauthorize the program through 2035 and expand its mission to include the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War. Under current law, the program focuses on the Civil War and the Revolutionary War.
Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) introduced the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area Act with Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), which would designate Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains region, including Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties, as a national heritage area. George Washington is believed to have referred to the region as 'Endless Mountains.' Outdoor and heritage tourism in the area currently supports nearly 2,000 jobs and generates more than $166 million in annual economic activity.
The Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act also drew attention with the ongoing Route 66 centennial celebration. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has endorsed the measure to recognize that milestone.
First responders received attention through the Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act, which would allow free access to national park units for first responders. Senators Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and Representative Tom McClintock (R-CA-5) sponsored the legislation.
Political Stakes
The hearing reflects both parties' interest in park preservation ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and during the nation's 250th anniversary. For the Trump administration, the focus on heritage areas and battlefield preservation offers political cover on parks policy, even as the administration pursues fee increases for foreign tourists and has directed campaigns to reshape park narratives.
For the National Park Service, the legislative agenda signals that Congress expects the agency to manage expanded territories and new heritage designations. Cuvelier's testimony carried weight as the administration's representative on park management capacity.
The bipartisan nature of most bills suggests park policy remains one of Congress's least partisan domains. However, time pressure is acute, since only a few work weeks remained in Congress at the time of the hearing, meaning many bills face an uncertain path to passage.
What's Next
The bipartisan America the Beautiful Act is described as ready to go and has made great progress toward passage, suggesting priority treatment. Most of the 25 bills examined at the hearing will require additional committee action and floor votes before adjournment.
Congressional staff will likely prioritize bills with the broadest bipartisan support and those tied to regional economic benefits. The tight legislative calendar means many measures may need to be bundled or carried over to the next Congress.
The Bottom Line
Parks policy remains one of Congress's most collaborative domains, even as the Trump administration pursues its own parks agenda.
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