FY26 Scenic Byways Funding
Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr. (R-PA) are leading a bipartisan effort to send a letter to the House Appropriations Committee requesting at least $65 million for the National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) in the Fiscal Year 2026 THUD appropriations bill. This network played a critical role in revitalizing the Scenic Byways program and the voices of tourism leaders are important to securing funding for this program to drive visitation and economic development to small towns and rural communities. NSBP received only $7.5 million in the last appropriations bill, Congress needs to hear from community leaders to provide adequate funding for this vital program.
Our friends at Scenic America have launched an online campaign that provides a customizable letter that you can sign and with one click send to your Representatives. The campaign can be accessed here.
If you prefer to send a letter directly, the template letter is posted below. Note the letter outlines Rep. Pappas and Rep. Bresnahan’s justification for the expanded funding requests.
The deadline for signing the letter is noon on Wednesday, May 21, so please act this week.
I know there have been a lot of these sign on letter requests over the last couple weeks, as the Appropriations Committees begin work on FY26 funding, it is important for them to hear from communities leaders on the programs that matter to their districts/states. I am trying to ensure that the voice of tourism is heard on the key programs supporting tourism communities.