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On June 11, Representatives Jim Clyburn (D-SC) and Mike Carey (R-OH) and Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) introduced the Renewing the African American Civil Rights Network Act (H.R.9269 / S.4767).

The African American Civil Rights Network (AACRN), a National Park Service (NPS) program, connects more than 130 historic sites, NPS units, and research programs dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement.

This bipartisan and bicameral legislation would reauthorize AACRN for an additional ten years. Its authorization lapsed in January 2025. Without Congressional action, no sites have an opportunity to join this vital network.

Send your members of Congress a letter asking that they cosponsor and support the Renewing the African American Civil Rights Network Act.

On June 3, 2026, the House overwhelmingly passed the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act by a vote of 404-13. This bipartisan and bicameral legislation (H.R. 7618/S. 3524) would reauthorize the American Battlefield Protection Program’s (ABPP) Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant Program (BLAG) through 2035, among other things, and continue this critical investment for battlefield preservation.

The bill is now pending in the Senate. Send a letter to your Senators asking that they cosponsor and support the legislation.

On Monday, May 11, Preservation Action and the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus hosted the 2026 Historic Preservation Month Briefing on Capitol Hill. The briefing highlighted the role historic preservation plays in addressing some of the nation’s most pressing challenges, including affordable housing, economic development, and permitting efficiency.

Lauren Cohen, Director of Government Relations at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, moderated a panel discussion featuring Katlyn Cotton of PlaceEconomics, Mike Phillips of the National Trust Community Investment Corporation, and Elizabeth Tune of the Virginia State Historic Preservation Office.

The panel covered a range of issues impacting the preservation field, including the Section 106 review process and the role State Historic Preservation Offices play in project review and permitting. Speakers also discussed new data on the benefits of rehabilitating historic buildings for affordable housing, as well as the economic activity and community revitalization that can result from investing in Main Streets and downtowns through the Historic Tax Credit.

As Congress continues consider preservation and community development priorities, advocates can support these efforts by encouraging their representatives to support the reauthorization of the Historic Preservation Fund (H.R.3418), appropriate $250 million for the Historic Preservation Fund, cosponsor the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO) (H.R. 2941/S.1459), and join the House Historic Preservation Caucus. Take action on these items today!

Watch the full Congressional briefing.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Government Relations team has released updated FY 2027 one-pagers to support advocacy at the federal level and help preservationists engage effectively with policymakers.

New One Pagers

• Historic Preservation Fund (PDF, 443 KB)
• Historic Tax Credit (PDF, 93 KB)
• Route 66 National Historic Trail (PDF, 432 KB)

These materials outline key federal priorities, including reauthorizing and robustly funding the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), strengthening the Historic Tax Credit (HTC), and designating Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. Each one-pager offers clear, concise information—complete with bill numbers, funding levels, and policy context—to support conversations with federal decision-makers.

Designed for use before, during, and after meetings, these resources provide essential background, talking points, and strong leave-behind materials. An accompanying funding chart highlights recent appropriations history and FY 2027 recommendations for critical programs that support historic preservation in an easy-to-scan format.

Additional one-pagers will be released throughout the year as advocacy opportunities arise.

The President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget Request proposes to eliminate nearly all funding for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), preserving only a limited allocation for grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This proposal would slash the HPF annual budget to just $11 million, a cut by nearly 95 percent.

This marks the second consecutive year the Administration has proposed a near-elimination of the HPF. In FY 2026, Congress rejected a similar proposal on a bipartisan basis—recognizing the essential role the HPF plays in supporting communities nationwide. We urge Congress to once again stand strong in support of this critical program.

If enacted, this FY 2027 proposal would effectively dismantle the nation’s core preservation infrastructure. The HPF supports State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and funds a range of impactful competitive grant programs—placing historic places and the communities they serve at serious risk.

To demonstrate the reach and value of this federal investment, the National Trust’s Government Relations team developed 51 Projects for Preservation: The Historic Preservation Fund Across the United States. This resource highlights one preservation project in every state and the District of Columbia, showcasing how HPF funding drives historic rehabilitation, community revitalization, economic development, and the preservation of underrepresented histories. At a time when the FY 2027 budget proposal again calls for eliminating nearly all HPF funding, this resource underscores what is at stake. We encourage advocates to share these stories with members of Congress and help make the case for sustained federal investment in historic preservation.

The HPF remains a cornerstone of the nation’s preservation initiatives, empowering communities to protect and activate places that matter.

This year marks both the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the HPF, as well as the nation’s 250th anniversary. The HPF is an active commitment by the federal government to protecting and illuminating America's rich history, and has invested more than $2 billion in communities since its inception. Continued support for the HPF is essential to preserving America’s heritage, strengthening local economies, and ensuring these stories endure for future generations.

Contact your elected officials today and urge them to support robust funding for the Historic Preservation Fund.