Federal Budget Update | NC FEMA Funding Released
NPS requests public input on Visitor Services
This afternoon, House Republicans released a 91-page plan for a short-term extension of the federal budget through November 21, which would avoid a shutdown and allow for more time for negotiations for a full funding bill. The bill is a “clean” bill that funds the government at current levels without any controversial policy add-ons.. It does include new funding for Congressional security.
At the urging of President Trump, the bill was drafted without Democratic input and the House is expected to vote on Friday to try pass it with just Republican votes. The Washington Post is covering the debate and offers the latest details in Republicans plan short-term funding extension, daring Democrats on shutdown. It is unclear if the Republican leadership has the votes to pass the measure on a straight party line vote.
As Congress will be out of session next week for the Jewish holidays, the Senate is expected to work through the weekend on a short-term funding bill. Majority Leader Thune (R-SD) would like to have the issue wrapped up before the Senate departs for recess. Although Republican leadership has not had any discussions with their Democratic counterparts, that timeline is tentative. The Senate will require Democratic votes pass the measure. A group of Republican Senators have been holding talks to develop a proposal to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies, which as been priority issue for Democrats. POLITICO has a good round up of the Senate discussions in GOP prepares a weekend jam for Democrats.
As Congress will be out and about in the districts and states I am re-sending the summer points to ensure you are prepped on tourism’s funding priorities should anyone run into their Members of Congress.
There has also been some talk that there may be another disaster relief bill this fall. We are at the peak of hurricane season and it feels like we are getting some traction on this issue. Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced they gave released $64 million in reimbursements to communities in Western North Carolina for more than two dozen recovery projects following Hurricane Helene. Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) had put a hold on nominations for key DHS appoints in an effort to get the funding released. His press release has a listing of the communities and the funds received under this announcement.
In July, 20 state attorneys general sued FEMA over the cancellation of a multi-billion dollar grant program designed to protect communities for floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters. I’ve been sending directly to network members any national press profiles of their state officials that are fighting get released or restore funding for key federal programs for tourism communities, but this announcement is a good reminder that now is the time to educate state officials that may not traditionally be engaged with tourism but may prove pivotal in securing promised funding.
For gateway communities: The National Park Service is requesting public input on how to improve visitor services to the national parks. Comments will be accepted through October 9, 2025. More details and a link to the site to submit input is available in the NPS press release.
As always, if you have questions or ideas, just reach out to me.