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Bipartisan reauthorization of battlefield protection program draws broad support, some agency caveats
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Summary
HR 7618 would reauthorize and expand the American Battlefield Protection Program through 2036, consolidate small grant streams, and lower non‑federal cost shares for certain grants; preservation groups hailed the bill while the National Park Service cautioned against raising federal cost share and adding studies that could divert resources from maintenance backlogs.
Lawmakers and preservation advocates told a House subcommittee that reauthorizing and modestly updating the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) would help preserve historically significant battlegrounds and expand interpretive work for less‑studied conflicts. The measure considered, HR 7618, would extend program authorization, consolidate two $1 million grant streams into a single $2 million program, and direct new studies of sites associated with the French and Indian War and the Mexican‑American War.
Representative Kiggins (VA) said the bill would help protect battlefield land "for generations to come" and lower barriers for smaller preservation organizations by relaxing some cost share requirements. David Duncan, president of the American Battlefield Trust, described ABPP as "one of the most effective, efficient, and bipartisan public‑private programs" and called the consolidation and reduced match for interpretation and restoration grants a practical step to broaden access.
The National Park Service supported reauthorizing the program and extending its authorization to 2036 but opposed increasing the federal cost share to 75% and questioned the need for additional studies; Charles Cuvelier said additional studies could divert limited NPS resources away from higher priority operational responsibilities and the deferred maintenance backlog.
Members pressed for bipartisan action ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary and discussed how increased funding flexibility could enable more local partnerships. The subcommittee did not vote; witnesses said they would provide additional information to the record as requested.
