Last week, Representative Joe Cunningham (D-South Carolina) and Representative TJ Cox (D-Kings) introduced the Great American Outdoors Act (H.R.7092), a bipartisan effort to fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The second key component of the legislation provides nearly $20 billion to address priority repair needs in the National Park Service and other federal land management agencies. In March, President Trump called on Congress to send this legislation to his desk to be signed into law. Furthermore, he has recently called upon the U.S. Senate to pass this effort. The legislation has drawn the support of more than 900 organizations across the country, including local businesses, the recreation industry, veterans groups, conservation organizations, tourism and travel associations, sportsmen, and infrastructure groups. More importantly, earlier in the week, the U.S. Senate voted 80-17 to invoke cloture, thus limiting debate on the Senate’s version of the Great American Outdoors Act (S.3422) which enjoys broad bi-partisan support. This sets the stage for action on the Senate Floor to adopt this bill. It is expected that the House of Representatives will expedite the consideration of the Great American Outdoors Act in order to have the legislation on President Trump’s desk in July.
