Fdr Historic Preservation Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I agree with the gentleman's description of this very good bill.

These two sites draw nearly 200,000 visitors to the Dutchess County region. They are significant contributors to the local economy. It is only fitting that we should work to improve the integration between these two sites and enhance their management and increase their accessibility to the public.

I know Representative Faso has worked hard on this bill and that it is a priority for his office. I want to commend him for working across the aisle, including with Senator Gillibrand's support, and I congratulate him on this success today.

Before wrapping up, I do want to mention that the money to carry out the expansion proposed in this bill will likely come from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a popular program that expires at the end of this week. That is right. After more than 50 years of bipartisan support, LWCF is once again on the brink of expiring. This is despite the fact that a bill to make the program permanent has earned the support of 235 Members of the House. The bill was voted out of the committee by voice, and all this body must do is bring it up on the floor for a vote.

I am always happy to support legislation that protects our public lands and cultural legacies, like this bill by Mr. Faso. I urge immediate action, however, on the other step we need to take, and that is bringing forward the bill to address the pending expiration of the LWCF.

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