MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, and Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE-02) introduced the bipartisan 988 Call Center Improvement Act. The legislation would authorize $441 million in federal funding for technology and support staff for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, including licensed mental health professionals and training in evidence-based interventions.
“Every call to 988 is an act of courage made in a moment of crisis,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Making sure the people answering those calls have what they need to help is the least we can do. This bill is one piece of the puzzle, not the whole thing. That’s whI am working alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support 988 services across the board, so no call goes unanswered and no center is left without what it needs.”
“When someone calls 988 during a mental health crisis, they should be able to quickly reach trained professionals who can connect them with the care they need,” said Congressman Bacon. “The 988 Call Center Improvement Act will strengthen local call centers by improving technology, supporting trained staff and expanding follow-up services so more people receive timely, effective help. I’m pleased to join Rep. Trahan on this bipartisan legislation to strengthen our mental health crisis response system.”
Specifically, the 988 Call Center Improvement Act would:

Invest in technology necessary to expand capacity and increase local response rates;

Provide follow-up and follow-through services so that individuals are effectively engaged with local behavioral health crisis options;

Support staff, including licensed mental health professionals and peer support workers;

Train staff and volunteers in providing evidence-based interventions, including for high-risk populations.

The 988 Call Center Improvement Act was included as part of the 988 Implementation Act, a comprehensive legislative package of bipartisan bills led by Trahan, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) to address gaps in care for individuals experiencing mental health crises. The broader bipartisan package would strengthen federal funding for 988 regional and local call centers to deliver timely, 24/7 response to callers while expanding community-based and mobile crisis response and increasing awareness of 988 services.
Since being sworn into Congress in 2019, Trahan has led efforts to expand access to quality mental health care and improve the resources and support of those in need of care. In 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law Trahan’s Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Memorial Reauthorization Act, which reauthorized and strengthening community-based youth and young adult suicide prevention efforts.
Earlier this year, she led a bipartisan group of 100 House members demanding the Trump administration reverse its decision to terminate thousands of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants that fund local mental health and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery programs across the country. This past May, Trahan introduced the bipartisan Campus Lifeline Act of 2026, legislation aiming to expand awareness and access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for students and young adults.
Full text of the 988 Call Center Improvement Act can be found HERE.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — On Friday, Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Ro Khanna (CA-17), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), joined by 27 of their colleagues, in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to use every available resource to support ongoing search-and-rescue efforts following the catastrophic flash floods in Nepal and to ensure the safety and recovery of American citizens and others affected by the disaster. 

As of September 4, the death toll from the flash floods had surpassed 1,300 people, and at least 4,000 people remained missing, including at least 75 U.S. citizens. 

“We support the Department’s announcement of $500,000 in assistance through its global award with Catholic Relief Services to support emergency shelter, relief items, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) assistance, as well as the $3.6 million in humanitarian assistance announced on August 29,” the lawmakers write. “Nonetheless, given the unprecedented loss of life and countless missing persons, we urge the Department to do much more.” 

The lawmakers requested that the State Department:

1. Provide daily updates to family members of those missing and Congress as rescue efforts continue. 
2. Deploy a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to flood-affected communities. 
3. Coordinate with the interagency and private sector to utilize high-altitude assets and thermal/infrared drones to search for missing persons and share aerial imagery with partners. 
4. Engage Nepali and PRC disaster authorities and international partners to ensure full coverage and access across search areas. 
5. Ensure rapid delivery of disaster assistance and provide additional reconstruction support. 

Full text of the letter is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON – In honor of America’s 250^th anniversary, this summer, the full Maryland Congressional Delegation – Congressman  Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-MD) and U.S. Representatives Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Andy Harris (MD-01), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) – submitted a Fort McHenry Flag and a Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad Centenary Souvenir Medal to the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule. Sealed and buried by the Architect of the Capitol, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule contains a joint letter and items of significance from every state and territory reflecting the history and culture of our country. It will be opened by the 224^th Congress in celebration of our nation’s 500th anniversary on July 4, 2276. 

The items selected by the Maryland delegation represent Maryland’s critical role in the history of America:

1. Fort McHenry Flag: This 15-Star Flag, also known as a Fort McHenry Flag, is a replica of the one that flew above Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the United States national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, in 1814. The flag that was flying at Fort McHenry that day was sewn at 844 E. Pratt Street in Baltimore by Mary Pickersgill, members of her family, and indentured and enslaved African-American women – it is now on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The Fort McHenry Flag has 15 stars and 15 stripes to account for Vermont and Kentucky becoming the 14^th and 15^th states, and was the official flag of the United States from 1795-1818. The Fort McHenry Flag included in the Congressional Time Capsule was flown over 844 E. Pratt Street, now known as the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House, on July 4, 2026, on the occasion of America’s 250^th anniversary.
2. B&O Railroad Centenary Souvenir Medal: This commemorative coin was crafted in honor of the B&O Railroad’s 100^th anniversary in 1927. The B&O Souvenir Medal was selected for the Congressional Time Capsule because of the B&O Railroad’s significant impact on both the state of Maryland and the country – chartered on February 28, 1827, it was the first-ever railroad to carry both passengers and freight for a toll. It pioneered railway engineering and spurred industrial opportunity for the United States. Notably, construction of the B&O Railroad began on July 4, 1828, with a groundbreaking event in Baltimore that featured Marylander Charles Carroll, the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence. The Souvenir Medal was donated to this timecapsule by the National Museum of Railroad History and Innovation located in Baltimore.

“It can be difficult to imagine America at 500. What technologies will define the way we live and work? What will our nation celebrate and mourn from its history? How will our people build community and understand the bonds that keep us together? The America 250 Congressional Time Capsule will offer them a window into our nation and our moment in history. I’m proud to join Team Maryland in offering future Marylanders a reminder of what we cherish and how we celebrate our state’s place in American history,” said Congressman Hoyer.

“Marylanders have always played a central role in American history – from the Maryland 400 holding strong against the British Army in 1776, to Baltimore’s own Thurgood Marshall expanding justice under the law, to the countless scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs pushing our nation forward every day. Inspired by the legacy of these great Marylanders and those still to come, we will continue working to build a nation that lives up to the American promise of equal justice, equal rights, and equal opportunity for all. As we celebrate America’s 250^th anniversary, the items Team Maryland chose for this Congressional Time Capsule showcase the resilience and innovation woven into the histories of both our great state and nation. This time capsule is a reflection on the work our nation has done over the past 250 years to live up to our founding ideals, and a statement of belief that 250 years from now our democracy will be even stronger,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“It was an honor to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary by looking back at Maryland’s contributions to technology, science, and culture that have transformed our nation forever. And when this timecapsule is opened on July 4, 2276, I hope Marylanders will look back at the mark we are leaving now – how we stood for justice, worked hard to advance society, cured diseases, found solutions to complex problems, and did it all with joy and love for each other,” said Senator Alsobrooks.  

“The United States of America’s 250th Birthday is a momentous occasion, and with the selection of these items for the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule, we ensure that Maryland’s contributions to American history will be preserved for our nation’s Quincentennial,” said Congressman Mfume. “The resilience and fortitude represented by this 15-star flag – the same design as flew over Fort McHenry while Francis Scott Key penned our National Anthem – as well as the pioneering spirit and ingenuity embodied by the commemorative B&O Railroad coin, are traits that have characterized Marylanders for generations. Let this capsule carry them forward to those Americans who open it next.”

“Maryland’s contributions to our country stretch back to the earliest days of our nation. More than two centuries later, that legacy continues across the Eastern Shore and Chesapeake Bay, where farmers and watermen remain an important part of American agriculture and seafood production, and through the Port of Baltimore, which connects our state to commerce around the world. The items selected by the Maryland delegation capture two defining moments in that history and will carry a piece of Maryland’s past forward as America celebrates its 250th anniversary,” said Congressman Harris.

“From Frederick Douglass to Harriet Tubman to Rachel Carson to Thurgood Marshall, Marylanders have been devoted patriots and fighters for our land, our democracy and our freedom,” said Congressman Raskin. “When this time capsule is opened, future Americans will be reminded of the Free State’s many enduring cultural, scientific and political contributions to our nation’s history and our shared work to build a more perfect union.” 

“Maryland has always been at the heart of America’s story, and our contributions to this country extend far beyond the moments we typically see in the history books. The flag that inspired our national anthem was sewn in Baltimore by Mary Pickersgill, her family, and Black women whose contributions were essential to our nation’s history. The B&O Railroad helped launch America’s industrial future from right here in Maryland. As we celebrate 250 years of our nation, these artifacts remind us that America’s story has always been shaped by the people, ingenuity, and perseverance of Marylanders. I’m proud to help preserve that story for Americans 250 years from now,” said Congressman Ivey.

“Home to the oldest State Capitol to remain in use and the only State House to have served as the nation’s Capitol; the place where our Founders met in 1786 and decided we needed a new system of government that led to the Constitution we have today; and the state where our flag flew high after the Battle of Fort McHenry, inspiring our national anthem  — Maryland’s role in our nation’s history is undeniable,” said Congresswoman Elfreth. “The artifacts we preserved today tell crucial pieces of Maryland’s story in the last 250 years of our nation’s history, and Team Maryland is committed to preserving this legacy for generations to come.”

“People call Maryland America in miniature. That started as a line about our climate and geography, but I think it says something truer about us: for more than 250 years, Maryland has helped build this country. What our delegation put in this time capsule shows exactly that,” said Congresswoman McClain Delaney.

“Maryland has always punched above its weight in shaping the story of America. From the flag that inspired our national anthem to the railroad that helped connect a growing nation, these artifacts help tell the story of Maryland’s role in defending our freedom and creating opportunity,” said Congressman Olszewski. “Now, 250 years later, the fight for these ideals continues in different ways. It is with a spirit of hope that we look to the future — that generations of Americans will continue our march toward a more perfect union.” 

An electronic version of Maryland’s submission to the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

BATAVIA, Illinois — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi today joined Batavia Mayor Jeffery Schielke and local leaders to present $250,000 in federal Community Project Funding he secured to help build a new, dedicated segment of the Fox River Regional Trail, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists while expanding access to the Fox River.

The new segment will run along the west side of the Fox River between the river and Batavia’s wastewater treatment facility, replacing a section where trail users can be routed off the dedicated path and alongside the roadway. The project will add new safety and guidance features, improve connectivity along the regional trail, and provide better access to and views of the riverfront. The Fox River Trail stretches from Oswego to Algonquin and serves more than 100,000 Fox Valley residents.

“More than 100,000 people across the Fox Valley use the Fox River Trail, and they deserve a safe, reliable route. I’m proud to have secured $250,000 to help Batavia build this new dedicated trail segment, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and make it easier for families to enjoy the Fox River,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), together with Representatives Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) and Chris Pappas (D-NH), today led 97 Members of Congress in demanding that Postmaster General David Steiner halt implementation of a new U.S. Postal Service rule carrying out President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting mail ballot delivery.  The lawmakers warned that the rule could throw the nation’s election system into uncertainty and chaos just weeks before states begin sending mail-in ballots to millions of Americans. The rule would require USPS employees to cross-reference mail ballots against voter information supplied by states, effectively asking postal workers to act as election judges. 

In their letter, the lawmakers wrote:

“The evidence is clear: voting by mail is safe, effective, and helps to ensure everyone is able to execute their constitutional right to vote. USPS has played an essential role in elections for generations – and it is our fear that this final rule risks harming the democratic process and severely damaging USPS’s relationship with the millions of Americans who rely on USPS to deliver ballots every election cycle.” 

The lawmakers pointed to USPS’s longstanding record of successfully delivering election mail and the extremely low incidence of mail-voting fraud. During the 2024 election cycle, USPS delivered 99.22 million ballots, including ballots for servicemembers overseas, and delivered 99.88 percent of election mail within seven days. A 2025 Brookings Institution study cited in the letter found an average of just four cases of voter fraud for every 10 million mail-in votes cast. 

The letter also raises serious questions about USPS’s compliance with court orders governing the Trump Administration’s mail-ballot policy. An anonymous whistleblower alleged that USPS resumed development of its Federal Ballot Mail Portal around July 29 while an injunction remained in effect and that work continued even after an August 27 temporary restraining order barred further preparatory steps. The lawmakers wrote that those allegations are difficult to square with USPS’s representation that it would take no action to implement the rule while the injunctions remained in place. 

The lawmakers wrote:

“This rule is a solution in search of a problem. For these reasons, we respectfully ask that you halt the implementation of this final rule.” 

Krishnamoorthi, Budzinski, Pappas, and their colleagues are demanding answers from Steiner by September 10, including whether USPS conducted a financial analysis of the rule, whether development of the Federal Ballot Mail Portal continued while court orders were in effect, whether USPS coordinated with the White House in developing the rule, how many postal employees would participate in ballot verification, and how USPS plans to handle ballots in states that have already printed envelopes that do not comply with the new requirements. 

The full text of the letter is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Yesterday, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04) and local labor leaders for a press avail, where he emphasized that House Democrats remain committed to standing up for the men and women of organized labor in the face of Donald Trump’s extreme attacks and destructive policies that are making life more expensive for everyday Americans.

LEADER JEFFRIES: These are very challenging times right now in the United States of America, as the people of Las Vegas are experiencing. We’re in the midst of a Trump slump and unprecedented extremism that has been unleashed on the American people from the very beginning of this toxic administration. Donald Trump promised that costs would go down on day one. Costs haven’t gone down. Costs have gone up in the United States of America. Life is way too expensive. There are far too many people in this city, in this state and all across America who are working hard, they’re playing by the rules, but they can’t thrive and they can barely survive. That should not be the case here in the United States of America, the wealthiest country in the history of the world. But everyday Americans, working class Americans and middle class Americans are being left behind.

As House Democrats, we believe that in this country, in America, when you work hard and play by the rules, as is the case with all of the workers supported by these great unions here today and the unions all across America, that when you work hard, and when you play by the rules, you should be able to live an affordable life, a comfortable life and a good life. And we know what that good life should look like: a good-paying job, good housing, good healthcare, a good education for your children and then when it’s all said and done, a good retirement. That’s the good life.

And as we kick off this Labor Day weekend, let me be clear, no one has done more to bring that American Dream to life than the men and women of organized labor. So House Democrats will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with you. And we will prioritize pro-union legislation and ensure that when we take control of the majority, we advance bills like the PRO Act so we can protect the right to organize for the American worker all across the United States of America. We’re going to work hard and fight for an affordable America. We’re going to fight to lower the high cost of groceries and gas and housing. House Democrats, we also believe that in this great country of ours, access to high-quality and affordable healthcare can’t simply be a privilege available only to the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected. Access to high-quality and affordable healthcare needs to be a right available to every single American. And that’s what these unions do such a tremendous job fighting to achieve.

We also believe that immigration enforcement in this country—and we have a broken immigration system—should be fair, just and humane. That’s not what’s taking place right now, which is why we continue to aggressively push back against ICE and its attack on the American people, its attack on law-abiding immigrant families, its attack on workers all across the United States of America. And our commitment as House Democrats is that we’re going to do everything we can to get ICE under control here in the United States of America.

And lastly, among the many priorities that we know we need to push back on, is the fact that not only have Republicans failed to do anything to lower the high cost of living here in the United States of America, their toxic policies have actually made life more expensive, which is why we’re going to fight hard to end the Trump tariffs that have been costing everyday Americans thousands of dollars per year and at the same time, do everything in our power to stop Donald Trump’s reckless and costly war of choice in Iran.

And so, I’m so thankful to be joined here by my good friend, classmate and brother, Steven Horsford, and by all of you, appreciative of the work that you do on behalf of the hardworking men and women here in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada, and committed to being in this fight with you, shoulder to shoulder, over the next 60 days and beyond, and confident that as long as we continue to show up and stand up and speak up for what we know is right, we’re going to win the day and win the week and win the month and win the year, win the hearts and minds of the American people and on November 3, re-elect Steven Horsford and win back control of the United States House of Representatives.

The Leader’s full remarks can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

In its earliest days, our nation relied heavily on wood. From our buildings to transportation needs and even fuel, timber became one of our most valued resources.

During the turn of the century, the railroad brought opportunity for further expansion out west. But it also brought with it the need for more wood. Crossties, bridges, train stations, and even the fuel for the trains demanded more wood than we were already consuming.

In fact, the Forest History Society claims that we consumed so much of it, by 1850 there was nearly 3.2 million miles of wooden fences in the United States. With that measurement, that means our fences could have circled the globe 120 times.

While our nation grew westward, forest land continued to be cut down and the demand for wood continued to increase. With no real plan for managing the land that was used, many logging companies simply moved on once they had been supplied with all they could get from the region.

As time went on, however, it became evident that our forests were a limited resource and their supply would soon become scarce if we couldn’t efficiently regrow our timber and understand healthy forest management.

With a focused objective to learn how to grow trees more quickly and replant logged areas successfully, among other important conservation efforts, the Forest Service designated experimental forests where research could be conducted.

The Crossett Experimental Forest, established in 1934, quickly became an exceptional model for working, sustainable forests that has since continued to contribute greatly to our understanding of forest management for over 90 years.

As the first field station in the Southern Forest Experiment Station, its main priority was to ensure that high-value saw logs could be produced from the second-growth southern pine stands in the region.

Loggers and landowners knew that first-growth (or old-growth) wood was preferred for its tighter cell structure that made the wood more durable and sturdy than the second-growth wood. So, ensuring they had products that could provide a good return on their investment was critical for their own financial success.

As the decades passed, the objectives of the experimental forest have changed to meet modern needs of our forestry industry. However, since the unfortunate passing of Dr. Bragg in 2023, who had directed the research of the experimental forest for two decades, we’ve seen virtually no research conducted.

As a licensed forester, I understand first-hand the importance of regional, real-world data. What’s more, Arkansas’s forestry industry is a major driver of our state’s economy, and its success and longevity rely on the most modern, science-based practices for how to best manage and conserve one of our most valuable natural resources.

That’s why I was excited to introduce a piece of legislation in August that allows the Crossett Experimental Forest to continue providing opportunities for research through a transfer of ownership from the federal government to the state government.

This week, Arkansas State Forester Kyle Cunningham was warmly welcomed to Washington where he served as a witness for the hearing held by the Committee on Natural Resources to discuss the benefits and possibility of this transfer.

His testimony and support for this proposed legislation are appreciated as we work to secure the great legacy of the Crossett Experimental Forest and keep active, hands-on research alive for future foresters to learn from and enjoy.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom McClintock Representing the 4th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom McClintock’s legislation, H.R. 10128, the Strengthening Coordination with Gateway Communities Act, was heard in a legislative hearing today in the House Natural Resources Committee.

The legislation, H.R. 10128, will codify into law an order signed by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in 2025 to enhance coordination between the National Park Service and gateway communities.

The legislation includes recognition of gateway communities as key stakeholders in System Unit management, and it fosters transparent, ongoing communication between the Parks and gateway leadership.

“Our Gateway Communities are comprised of people who have spent their lives in and around the Parks,” said Congressman McClintock.  “Yet one of the frustrations they have expressed is that they feel ignored and excluded from decisions that directly affect the Park, its visitors, local communities and economy.” 

The full committee remarks delivered by Congressman McClintock at the committee can be found below.

With the signing of Secretarial Order 3434 in 2025, local officials with decades of combined collective experience welcoming visitors, finally had a seat at the table with their local national park on matters that immediately impact their local communities. 

Madera County Supervisor Bobby Macaulay testified in support of H.R. 10128 at the House Natural Resources Committee hearing.

Support for H.R. 10128, the Strengthening Coordination with Gateway Communities Act:

 “In Yosemite, gateway communities are working collaboratively with Park Service to preserve the park, provide recommendations on priority issues and opportunities, and take on communication challenges. It is essential that those that have chosen to live and work near the park have a voice around the lands they love and often depend on. By codifying Interior Order 3434 we are ensuring this will be standard at each National Park for generations to come.”  

“Secretarial Order 3434 has helped create meaningful, ongoing communication between the National Park Service and gateway communities, ensuring that our concerns and local knowledge are heard. In Mariposa County, we have seen stronger, more responsive partnerships with both the National Park Service and the Yosemite Conservancy. I am proud to have advocated for this policy alongside my fellow gateway supervisors, and I support Congressman McClintock’s effort to make these protections permanent so future administrations cannot allow that collaboration to disappear.”

• Supervisor Jenni Kiser, Mariposa County

“Ensuring ongoing collaboration between the Park Service and local gateway communities becomes permanent standard practice make sense,” said Paul McFarland, Mono County Supervisor representing the eastern gateway to Yosemite National Park. “The conversations supported by the Gateway Communities Act help us all realize we’re in this together. The health of our local communities depends on the health of Yosemite National Park and vice versa.”

• Supervisor Paul McFarland, Mono County

“The renewed energy of gateway communities working alongside Yosemite National Park administrators demonstrates what can be achieved through inclusive collaboration. This partnership has already produced several valuable initiatives, including the development of the Beyond Yosemite Valley map. The project illustrates how coordinated efforts can help shape visitor travel patterns by encouraging exploration throughout the park and reducing concentration in any single area.”

“Gateway communities are essential partners in the success of our national parks. We welcome and serve millions of visitors each year, and the decisions made within our parks have a direct impact on our residents, businesses, infrastructure and visitor experience. This legislation recognizes how important it is for gateway communities to have a meaningful voice and a seat at the table. Strengthening communication and collaboration between the Department of the Interior, our national parks and the communities that surround them will help us better serve visitors, protect these treasured places and support the people who call these regions home.”

• Rhonda Salisbury, CEO
Visit Yosemite | Madera County

• Jonathan Farrington, Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau

Congressman McClintock’s remarks delivered in support of the legislation at the committee hearing:

Remarks on H.R. 10128

Federal Lands Sub-Committee

House Natural Resources Committee

September 2, 2026
 

During my time chairing this sub-committee, one of our objectives was to restore the federal government as a good neighbor to the communities impacted by the federal lands.  After a decade of frustration and complaints from businesses and representatives surrounding Yosemite National Park, we finally achieved that goal when Secretary Burgum issued his Executive Order 3434, directing national park superintendents to consult with them regularly and meaningfully.
 

H.R. 10128 codifies that order.
 

No one has a greater stake in the success of our parks than these gateway communities.  They live every day with the consequences of decisions made by federal land managers.
 

The shopkeepers, tour guides, hoteliers, restauranters, service providers and first responders in these gateway communities are often life-long residents who grew up in and around these parks and know them and their problems intimately.
  

Yet for far too long, these communities have been ignored by park managers who transfer in and out of the park without ever understanding their problems and challenges.  Before Superintendent McPadden, Yosemite’s superintendent lived in the Bay area.
 

I can testify directly to the frustrations of the Yosemite Gateway Communities, because I spent years listening to their concerns while a succession of incompetent park superintendents simply blew them off.  
 

Ever since the flood of 1997, the number of parking places, campsites and hotel rooms within the park were cut in half and never restored, even though Congress appropriated funds to do so.  
 

Instead of listening to the gateway communities, park bureaucrats imposed increasingly severe restrictions on park visitors, including a hated reservations system that dramatically impacted visitation.  They turned away an average of 700 cars a day – filled with families who had driven hours to enjoy a day at Yosemite – while parking lots sat half empty.  Hotel reservations fell thousands short and many tourists who booked a room outside the park were refused entry at the gates for want of a coveted reservation.  Frustrated would-be visitors reported continuing problems trying to obtain reservations on a glitchy website. 
 

The gateway community businesses proposed dozens of simple reforms to reduce congestion within the park and the hours-long traffic backups at park entrances.   They proposed a digitized entry system, entry passes and wi-fi to expedite gate admissions, wider promotion of park attractions beyond the valley to reduce congestion, more efficient traffic patterns and greater parking access and real-time data to relieve crowding in peak periods. Yet on the rare occasion that a park manager even bothered to meet with them, they were treated as non-entities and nuisances.
 

That all changed with Yosemite’s new park superintendent acting under the Secretarial order issued last year.  The Secretary himself attended one such consultation this year and Superintendent Ray McPadden began ably implementing these suggestions.  
 

The proof is all around us today.  Visitation is up and crowding is down.  And that’s not just an opinion.  Washington State University conducted a survey of park visitors from August 7 to 16th.  They report that 96 percent of park visitors rated their recreation experience as good or excellent, 91 percent experienced no entry delays or delays of      less than 15 minutes.  56 percent said they spent less time looking for parking than they expected.  Traffic gridlock used to occur 120 days a year in the Valley.  This year has seen just two such days – both over the Memorial Day weekend.  
 

Under the secretarial order we seek to codify, every National Park System unit must conduct at least one quarterly coordination meeting with gateway community leaders. Park officials must document and consider local input when developing management plans, environmental reviews, visitor-use strategies, and fee proposals. 
 

Perhaps most importantly, the Park Service must engage these communities early while developing policies that could affect local access, tourism, or regional economic activity and allow them to shape these policies in the early stages.  
 

The secretarial order also requires every National Park System unit to designate a Gateway Community Coordinator who serves as a direct point of contact for state, tribal, and local officials. That coordinator is responsible for facilitating communication, ensuring that community concerns reach decision-makers, and elevating problems requiring regional or national attention. 
 

Executive orders and secretarial orders can be reversed as quickly as they are issued. Communities making long-term investments and planning decisions need greater certainty than that.
 

Congress can provide it with the bill before the sub-committee today.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom McClintock Representing the 4th District of California

The Roundtable in Turlock Brought Together Farmers, Local Officials and Federal Representatives