Letter: Support our National Parks

June 12, 2025

Date

[Your Senator]
[Your Senator’s office address]

Dear Senator:

I write to request that you take action to remove proposed language from the reconciliation bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that proposes to claw back $267 million of funding from the National Park Service that Congress has already approved. I ask that you vote against any legislation that contains similar funding reductions to NPS and any recreation fees on international travelers.

America’s parks are national treasures, and it is imperative that Congress enact policies that support our national parks and the dedicated federal workforce, who not only help support these sites but also assist in ensuring that those who visit a park have a safe and positive experience. According to NPS data, in 2023, visitors to U.S. national parks spent over $26.4 billion in gateway communities—supporting more than 415,000 jobs and $19.4 billion in labor income, and generating $55.6 billion in total economic output. This led to a record 331 million park visits in 2024.

Congress members original intent for the funds now targeted by the reconciliation bill were to help NPS fill critical vacant positions that are essential to maintaining parks and protecting their resources. [Insert data or anecdotes on how national park travel supports your business or community]

Additionally, I am concerned about the administration’s recent FY 2026 budget proposal for NPS, which seeks to reduce NPS funding by 30% and institute a new recreation fee for international travelers. At a time where there is a demonstrated downturn in travel to the United States, causing significant economic harm, there should be more investment in national parks, which drive local economic activity and support many jobs in adjacent communities. We also should be encouraging international travelers to our national parks, rather than creating a financial barrier that discourages their visit and their economic contributions.

I share the goal of reinvigorating the domestic economy, and the best way to accomplish this is to incentivize people to visit our national parks, which will in turn support local businesses and communities near parks. Congress can help by providing adequate NPS funding for park rangers, maintaining our national treasures, and ensuring that those who visit a park can do so easily, without financial barriers.

Again, I urge you to remove the proposed NPS clawback language from the reconciliation bill and oppose any legislation or budgetary proposals that seek to slash NPS funding or impose financial barriers that will decrease visitation to a national park.

[Your signature, name, company, and address]