While efforts to secure a permanent, federal National Historic Trail designation for Route 66 are still being explored, progress has been made on legislation to create a Route 66 Centennial Commission.

The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act (S1014) passed by unanimous consent out of the US Senate on August 10, 2020. After the measure is reconciled with the bill already passed by the House, it will go to President Trump for his signature.

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) introduced the bill on April 3, 2019, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of historic Route 66. The Commission will help plan this historic event for this iconic road that symbolized the heritage of travel and the shared legacy of Americans seeking a better life.