Contributed by: Preservation Action
Organization: Preservation Action
Dated Posted: May 29, 2026
Website: Visit External Site

This week, the House Appropriations Committee released theirFY27 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee bill draft. The bill includes $163.65 million for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), $17.409 million below FY26 enacted levels. The bill also calls for deeper cuts to other programs important to historic preservation. While we are still waiting for the release of the more detailed report bill, the bill appears to include funding at the following levels for the HPF:

$85.9 million for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (same as FY26)

$25.5 million for the Save America's Treasures grant program (same as FY26)

$30.25 million for Competitive Grant Subactivity (same as FY26)

$11 million for the HBCU Preservation Grant Program (same as FY26)

$7 million for the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant program ($906,000 below FY26)

$4 million for the Semiquincentiennial Grant Program ($907,000 below FY26)

Congressionally Directed Spending for HPF projects not included ($15.596 million below FY26)

Total HPF Funding: $163.65 million ($17.409 million below FY26 enacted levels)

The bill largely appears to maintain level funding for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and most grant programs. The bill did not include Congressional Directed Spending for HPF projects, which constitutes the majority of the cut. While this funding level is far below the $250 million Preservation Action has been pushing for and represents a significant cut below FY26 enacted levels, the bill rejects the extreme cuts proposed in the President's budget request, which called for nearly eliminating HPF funding. We were also pleased to see the bill included a provision to reauthorize the HPF for one year, the current authorization runs until September.

The House Interior Appropriations bill includes $3.2 billion for the National Park Service, $42 million below FY26 enacted levels. The bill also includes $6.2 million for the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, $2.085 million below FY26 enacted levels, a more than 25% cut. The National Endowment of the Arts and Humanities is funded at $135 million each, $72 million below FY26 enacted levels.

The bill was approved by the Subcommittee on a party line vote sending it to the full committee for consideration. The full House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider the bill on June 3rd. A hearing schedule hasn't been announced in the Senate yet. Check out the FY27 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee bill draft and watch the hearing here.

Preservation Action continues to urge lawmakers to support robust funding for historic preservation priorities, including a historic $250 million for the Historic Preservation Fund. Join us by reaching out to your members of Congress today!

Take Action: https://preservationaction.org/historic-preservation-fund/