As the 118th Congress draws to a close, congressional committees held several hearings and markups the week of November 18 to consider over 100 pieces of legislation including several priority bills for the preservation community.

On November 19, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a marathon markup of over 70 bills where Senators weighed in on pending legislation.

The markup, previously slated for the September calendar, was rescheduled due to lawmakers leaving DC earlier than expected prior to the November elections.

More than 70 bills were approved by the committee, including several by voice vote such as a bill (S. 4216) to establish the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve, and legislation (S. 4936) led by Senator Risch (R-ID) to delay the Lava Ridge wind project pending a GAO study on the impacts to the NPS Minidoka National Historic Site that helps tell the story of forced evacuation of Japanese Americans and Alaska Natives during World War II.

In the House, committee activity on November 19 included the House Natural Resources Federal Lands Subcommittee hearing on several items including the bill (H.R. 10084) led by Rep. Clyburn (D-SC) to reauthorize the African American Civil Rights Network – a program long supported by the National Trust as part of our ongoing efforts to support preservation and interpretation of sites related to African American activism, achievement, and resilience.

During the full committee markup the following day, the committee unanimously approved legislation (H.R. 4338) led by Reps. LaHood (R-IL) and Grace Napolitano (D-CA) that would designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail (NHT). This is the second time bipartisan House legislation to designate a Route 66 NHT has been approved by the full House Natural Resources Committee.

For several weeks, the possibility of a broad legislative package of lands-related bills from these and previous committee proceedings during this Congress has been a topic of conversation.

The slate of bills covering a wide range of issues, constituencies, and congressional support provide an opportunity for a bipartisan, bicameral package to emerge.

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Joe Manchin (I-WV) acknowledged this possibility but shared the busy Senate agenda after Thanksgiving and uncertainty of offsetting the cost may make this opportunity challenging.