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On September 25, Congress passed a stopgap continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government funded at current spending levels until December 20, avoiding the September 30 deadline that would have triggered a government shutdown.

The measure was considered a “clean CR,” meaning the legislation did not include controversial provisions or amendments that might have otherwise complicated passage.

The CR extends federal funding until December 20, giving Congress time to focus on the November elections but also establishing the need to return to Washington for a lame duck legislative session to address the new funding deadline.

The National Park Service, which administers the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) program, relies on this funding without which important preservation programs and services would come to a halt.

We are pleased to share that historic preservation efforts received an important win in the CR, which included language that provides for a two-year extension of HPF funding for State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) to complete disaster-related historic preservation projects in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as other impacted states. Had this extension of the availability of funds not been included, the allocated funding would have expired.

The Trust conveyed its support of the extension in a letter to Congressional leaders as the CR was negotiated.

As Congress navigates ongoing funding challenges over the next several months, the National Trust will keep advocates updated with opportunities to take action and engage with lawmakers.

Learn more about the many preservation-related programs that are funded through federal appropriations in our report, Select Preservation Priorities for FY 2025 Appropriations.

Progress on fiscal year (FY) 2025 annual appropriations continues following recent action in the House of Representatives and Senate on key preservation priorities.

On June 28, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee debated, and ultimately passed, the initial version of the bill that will fund most preservation-related programs, including the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF).

The full Appropriations Committee advanced the same bill on July 9, and it was passed by the full House on July 24.

The House bill included $168.9 million for the HPF and following a voice-voted amendment on the House floor prior to passage, also contains $3 million for the newly authorized African American Burial Grounds Program.

Now, attention switches to the Senate after the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee reviewed, debated, and passed their version of FY 2025 funding on July 25.

Included in the legislation was an increase of $1 million for State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs) and a $2 million increase for Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) over current enacted levels, along with $2 million for the African American Burial Grounds Program.

It also included a one-year extension of the HPF’s authorization, matching the House-passed version earlier that week.

As Congress enters the August summer recess, further action by Congress will be required to advance the FY 2025 funding process when they return in September. As in years past, consideration of the FY 2025 funding bills will likely run past September 30 and a continuing resolution (CR) will be required to avoid a government shutdown.

Each year, the U.S. Congress engages in a lengthy process to determine funding levels for every agency and program supported by the federal government, including the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF).

In a process called a “markup,” the U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee is scheduled to debate and write the legislation that funds the Department of the Interior and other agencies for fiscal year (FY) 2025 on June 28.

This markup is the beginning of the formal appropriations process in Congress and will signal the likely funding levels for federal agencies and programs.

Historic preservationists have advocated to Congress this year supporting $225 million for the HPF, which reflects the need across the field. Ahead of this markup on June 28, members of Congress need to hear from you, their constituents, that the HPF is important and should be robustly funded.

Take two minutes now to reach out to your members of Congress today to encourage them to support $225 million for the HPF in FY 2025!

Each year, the U.S. Congress engages in a lengthy process to determine funding levels for every agency and program supported by the federal government, including the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF).

Members of Congress need to hear from you, their constituents, that the HPF is important and should be robustly funded.

Reach out to your member of Congress today to encourage them to support $225 million for the HPF in fiscal year (FY) 2025!

The authorization to fund the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) expired at the end of September 2023 after Congress did not act before the deadline.

The HPF has historically been authorized at $150 million annually, an amount that we are working to increase. This authorization sets the amount Congress is approved to appropriate for the HPF each year.

We need your help! Your voice is needed to urge Congress to reauthorize the HPF and support the important work of the preservation movement to preserve the full history of our nation and the many important stories that contribute to the American experience.

Urge Congress to support efforts to reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF).

The HPF has been a steadfast guardian of our historic treasures for over four decades, enabling communities to protect and celebrate the places that define who we are. The HPF supports State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs), Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs), and several critical competitive grant programs.