This week, Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum testified before the House and Senate Appropriations Committee on the Administration's FY26 budget request. 

During the House Budget Hearing Subcommittee Ranking Member Chellie Pingree (D-ME) brought up the delay in the release of FY25 funding for the Historic Preservation Fund and asked Secretary Burgum if he is pushing for the needed apportionment to come from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Rep. Pingree expressed her serious concern and the impact the delay is having on State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO) including project delays and staff lay offs, specifically citing the Ohio SHPO which had to lay off one third of it's staff earlier this month. Secretary Burgum responded saying he is pushing OMB to release the funds and said as a former Governor he understands the importance of State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices.

During the hearing, Committee Chairman, Tom Cole (R-OK) talked about the recent release of emergency supplemental HPF grants to aid in the recovery of recent natural disasters, but cited how the funds, which passed in December, took too long to be released. At the Senate Budget Hearing, Subcommittee Ranking Member, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) also brought up the HPF funding delay in his opening remarks.

Preservation Action appreciates the work of these lawmakers in raising this critical issue.

Take Action

We urge to keep up your advocacy efforts by reaching out to your members of Congress and helping to spread the word. Your actions are having an impact! Please reach out to your Representative and Senators and ask them to:

- Help facilitate the immediate disbursement of congressionally-approved FY25 Historic Preservation Fund funding

- Support necessary and robust funding for the Historic Preservation Fund in FY26

Preservation Action has made it easy for you. Check out our latest advocacy alert to learn more and take action today!

Take Action: https://preservationaction.org/protect-hpf-alert/