FY26 Appropriations Update: Scenic Byways and America 250 Funding
Good Reads: National Archives Freedom Plane | Florida's State Bird Fight | Yosemite Visitors Gone Wild
Congress provided good news for tourism communities yesterday with the release the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, a four-bill appropriations package comprised of the Defense, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education-Related Agencies, and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development bills. The THUD section of the bill provides $10 million for the National Scenic Byways Program, which will remain available through September 30, 2029. Tourism leaders played a big role in revitalizing the National Scenic Byways Program and securing funding in this difficult political environment is a sign that advocacy pays dividends to local communities.
The Labor-HHS-Education section provides $291.8 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), including funds to support the 250th Anniversary of the United States in coordination with the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. Tourism leaders have been calling for dedicated funding to communities to commemorate America 250 for a couple years. Or friends at the America Association for State and Local History spearheaded this IMLS funding effort and we have been happy to support it.
A summary of the THUD appropriations can be read here.
A summary of the Labor-HHS-Education-Related Agencies appropriations can be read here.
This Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 must now be approved by the House and Senate and then signed by the President to become law. The House is in session this week and may vote on the appropriations minibus that funds that funds the Interior and Commerce Departments, among others. The Senate returns next week. With Congress operating under a looming deadline approving all 12 appropriations bills to avoid a government shutdown, there may be some spirited debate around the appropriations priorities, particularly funding for the Department of Homeland Security but the bills are expected to pass.
Good Reads
In America 250 news, The New York Times is reporting the National Archives has launched the Freedom Plane an initiative to take the nation’s rare founding documents on a tour to museums in 8 states, most outside of the 13 original colonies as part of the America 250 commemoration. The 10 documents tell the story of the Founding Era, from the pre-1776 resistance to British rule to the writing of the Constitution in 1787.
The Washington Post is reporting on a hot political fight in Florida, Flamingo fans fight to unseat the mockingbird as Florida’s state bird. As bird watching has become an important segment of tourism in many states, this is a battle about more than spotlighting a state’s special natural resources.
The New York Times documents the impact of the Trump Administration’s 25% reduction of permanent National Park Service staff on one iconic park with At Yosemite, Rangers are Scarce and Visitors Have Gone Wild. It is an interesting story that highlights the importance of NPS staff to the visitor experience but overwhelmingly is raised the question for me: what is wrong with people?!! Our friends at the National Parks Conservation Association are doing a great job of compiling these impacts to the parks, if you have stories to share, please send them along.