Senate Approves FY26 Appropriations Bill | Speaker Johnson Addresses UK Parliament on America 250 | America 250 Congressional Caucus Hits 350 Members of Congress
A quick update before the start of a long holiday weekend.
Yesterday, the Senate approved a minibus appropriations package of three bills: Commerce-Justice, Energy & Water, and Interior-Environment. The measure was approved on a strong bipartisan vote of 82-15. The Interior bill has some important provisions for tourism communities:
stipulates that the National Park Service hire, rehire and retain sufficient park staff to perform the agency’s mission to protect natural and cultural resources and ensure visitor enjoyment and safety
requests the administration give Congress notice of any Reduction in Force efforts
rejects efforts to divert Land and Water Conservation Funds
Language requiring the Administration to maintain all units as federal entities of the National Park System was moved to the non-binding report. But it does document Congress’s opposition to selling off or returning to states many NPS units.
The President is expected the sign the bill.
The Hill has more details in Senate passes trio of government funding bills.
The Senate has adjourned for 10 days; the House will be in session next week and will recess for the last week of January. Negotiations will continue on the remaining appropriations bills, including the Transportation-Housing-Urban Development (THUD) bills and the Labor-HHS-Education bill, which have funding for critical tourism programs such Scenic Byways and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
POLITICO reports Speaker Mike Johnson to address UK Parliament to commemorate US’s 250th anniversary. The speech is set for January 20th. Johnson will be the first sitting Speaker to address Parliament.
The America 250 Commission reports that the America 250 Congressional Caucus has reached 350 members. The press release has a link to the caucus rooster. Engaged Members of Congress should be kept up to date on efforts to tell your community’s unique American story.