Bipartisan push in House to extend Great American Outdoors Act funding

House members are advancing a bipartisan effort to renew the Great American Outdoors Act, originally passed in 2020 and praised as a major conservation milestone. The new measure, spearheaded by Rep. Bruce Westerman, seeks to extend the law’s $1.9 billion annual allocation for another five years and introduces additional funding mechanisms, including a fee on foreign visitors. Over 250 legislators, roughly split between Republicans and Democrats, have signed on, and the bill cleared the Natural Resources Committee.

Lawmakers highlight that the funding will repair crumbling infrastructure, upgrade water systems, and maintain trails across national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and tribal education facilities. Supporters argue the investment will boost tourism revenue and benefit surrounding communities, while also preserving historic sites for future generations.