National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7693) to amend title 54, United States Code, to reauthorize the National Park Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 7693, the National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022.

This bill will ensure that the congressionally charted philanthropic partner of the National Park Service can continue supporting our parks for years to come.

Specifically, this bill will reauthorize Federal funding for the National Park Foundation through 2030 and increase the overall annual authorization level from $5 million to $15 million.

This is a smart and commonsense investment in the future of our national parks. Every Federal dollar requires a minimum 1-to-1 match with private dollars, creating a multiplying effect that reaches units throughout the entire system.

After more than 100 incredible years, our national parks are more popular than ever. This means they need our support to ensure that the National Park Service can address challenges that include aging infrastructure, overcrowding, and inconsistent funding from Congress.

The National Park Foundation is a key partner and ally. Innovative partnerships that leverage Federal investments and private donations help our parks thrive. I am proud to support this bill today so that the foundation can keep serving this important role.

Later this week, we will consider the Interior Appropriations legislation, which includes vital funding for the National Park Service.

I thank my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for developing a bill that includes a robust investment in our national parks, and I hope that Congress can keep making sound investments that ensure the National Park Service continues to thrive throughout its second century and beyond.

I thank our colleague, Ranking Member Westerman, for introducing this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7693, the National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022. This bipartisan bill has the support of 51 cosponsors. This bill will leverage private investment and innovative public-private partnerships to reduce the $21.8 billion deferred maintenance backlog at our national parks, and address pressing issues like park overcrowding.

Very importantly, the foundation is required to provide a dollar-for- dollar match with private funds for their Federal appropriations, and Federal funds cannot be used by the National Park Foundation for overhead, administrative expenses, or land acquisition.

In 2016, Congress passed the National Park Service Centennial Act, which authorized the National Park Foundation, the official charitable partner of the National Park Service, to receive up to $5 million in discretionary appropriations annually through fiscal year 2023.

The foundation utilizes its Federal appropriations to work with local partners and leverage private investment to achieve the greatest impact possible.

The foundation works together with the National Park Service to identify projects, including rehabilitating trails, visitor centers and other facilities, expanding youth access, and conserving park habitat.

To date, the Foundation has routinely exceeded the minimum 1-to-1 required match and has more than $20 million worth of projects awaiting funding in the pipeline.

Since first receiving an appropriation in fiscal year 2018, the Foundation has funded more than 100 projects in 32 States and two territories. By the end of next year, the Foundation plans to have funded projects in all 50 States and multiple territories.

This bill builds on the National Park Foundation's success by creating additional opportunities to encourage even more private funding for the parks.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of H.R. 7693, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.