Congressional Budget Committee critiques 37% cut to National Park Service funding

Disappointment echoed through the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources as members expressed outrage over proposed budget cuts to the National Park Service. The stark reality of a 37% reduction in funding for the agency, already struggling with underfunding, was labeled as "devastating" and "an insult to Congress" by one senator.

During the meeting, concerns were raised about the implications of slashing $1.2 billion from the National Park Service budget for the 2025 fiscal year. The senator highlighted alarming trends in visitation versus staffing, showing a growing disparity since 2010. "We were already woefully understaffed," he stated, emphasizing that further cuts would only exacerbate the issue.

The senator's frustration was palpable as he questioned the rationale behind such drastic cuts, pointing out that the amount being removed from the budget is negligible in the grand scheme of the federal budget. "If our federal budget was the height of this room, what you're cutting from the National Park Service is the combined height of two credit cards," he remarked, underscoring the disproportionate impact of the cuts on one of America's most cherished institutions.

As discussions continue, the future of the National Park Service hangs in the balance, with advocates urging for a reconsideration of the budget to protect America's natural treasures. The committee's next steps will be crucial in determining the fate of national parks across the country.