Legislation was re-introduced today by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Mark Warner (D-VA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Angus King (I-ME) in the Senate and Representatives Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) in the House that would address the National Park Service deferred maintenance backlog, with the House bill also addressing the backlog of other federal agencies. This legislation garnered the bipartisan support of more than 230 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and more than one-third of the Senate during the last session of Congress.

Thomas J. Cassidy, vice president for government relations and policy for the National Trust for Historic Preservation:

“The $11.6 billion National Park System deferred maintenance backlog jeopardizes some of our nation’s most iconic historic resources and cultural artifacts. By creating a reliable federal funding source to reduce the backlog, this legislation will enable the National Park Service and other federal agencies to save the historic structures, landscapes, and necessary infrastructure that enable the public to safely enjoy the places that reflect our nation’s history. We commend Senators Portman, Warner, Alexander, and King along with Representatives Bishop and Kilmer for their leadership in creating a bipartisan path for Congress to secure the future of important historic and cultural resources now at risk.”

Catherine Townsend, president and CEO, the Trust for the National Mall:

“The time is now for Congress to address this national crisis, particularly in the Nation’s Capital. The National Mall hosts more than 35 million visits each year and has the highest deferred maintenance bill of any National Park across the country. As the greatest symbol of American Democracy, we must improve and preserve this historic legacy for generations to come. We express our gratitude to Representatives Bishop and Kilmer in the House and Senators Portman, Warner, Alexander, and King in the Senate for their steadfast leadership of this important legislation.”

CONTACT:

NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Erica Stewart
202-588-6229
estewart@savingplaces.org

TRUST FOR THE NATIONAL MALL
Kelly Decerbo
202-407-9418
kdecerbo@nationalmall.org

About the Trust for The National Mall

Celebrating over ten years of partnership with the National Park Service, the Trust for the National Mall stewards private support to design and deliver modern and resilient solutions that will transform the visitor experience and preserve the historic legacy of the National Mall. This public-private partnership is a model for bringing critical resources to the National Mall. nationalmall.org | @thenationalmall