[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 124 (Monday, July 21, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H3495-H3497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND FIREFIGHTER RECREATION PASS ACT
Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 183) to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act
to provide for a lifetime National Recreational Pass for law
enforcement officers, as amended.
[[Page H3496]]
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 183
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Law Enforcement Officer and
Firefighter Recreation Pass Act''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL RECREATIONAL PASSES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS.
Section 805(b) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement
Act (16 U.S.C. 6804(b)) is amended--
(1) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) Annual passes.--The Secretary shall make the National
Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available, at no
cost, to--
``(A) a member of the Armed Forces and their dependents; or
``(B) a law enforcement officer or firefighter,
who provide adequate proof of eligibility for such pass as
determined by the Secretary.''.
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Firefighter.--The term `firefighter' means any
employee of the Federal Government, a State, a unit of local
government, or an Indian Tribe who performs work directly
related to suppressing fires, including wildland fires.
``(B) Law enforcement officer.--The term `law enforcement
officer' means any officer, agent, or employee of the Federal
Government, a State, a unit of local government, or an Indian
Tribe authorized by law or by a government agency to engage
in or supervise the prevention, detection, or investigation
of any violation of criminal law or who is authorized by law
to supervise sentenced criminal offenders.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Stauber) and the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hoyle)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.
General Leave
Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 183, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Minnesota?
There was no objection.
Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 183, the Law
Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreational Pass Act, led by my
friend and colleague on the Natural Resources Committee Representative
McClintock.
This legislation helps recognize the selfless service of Federal,
State, Tribal, and local law enforcement officers and firefighters with
a well-deserved benefit: free annual access to national parks, forests,
and other public lands managed by the Federal Government.
{time} 1620
This meaningful legislation will ensure that the men and women who
risk their lives to protect our communities can enjoy free access to
our Nation's most treasured public lands.
Law enforcement officers and firefighters also play a critical role
in protecting our public lands by responding to wildland fires,
conducting search and rescue operations, responding to criminal
activity, and preventing vandalism and resource destruction.
For example, just over 1 year ago, on a busy Fourth of July weekend,
Yellowstone National Park law enforcement officers neutralized a
potential shooter headed toward a busy dining area in one of the most
popular areas of the park. Their selfless actions and heroism saved
countless lives, ensuring that this day of celebration did not turn
into a day of tragedy.
Whether it is a local sheriff in Minnesota, a wildland firefighter in
California, or a Tribal police officer in Missouri, our law enforcement
officers and firefighters dedicate themselves to the safety and well-
being of others, often under incredibly difficult and dangerous
circumstances. This legislation gives something back to those who give
so much.
This bill also promotes the use of public lands for recreation,
health, and family time, particularly among those who may face long
hours, stressful shifts, and dangerous conditions. Outdoor recreation
is good for both mental and physical well-being, and this bill ensures
that our first responders can take full advantage of America's natural
beauty.
I commend Representative McClintock for his leadership on this bill
and his continued work to expand outdoor access for the American
people.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense, pro-
recreation, pro-first-responder legislation. Let's honor those who
serve by giving them the opportunity to enjoy the lands that they help
protect.
Madam Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my
time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Agriculture,
Washington, DC, July 9, 2025.
Hon. Bruce Westerman,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual
understanding regarding H.R. 183, the ``Law Enforcement
Officer Recreation Pass Act.'' Thank you for collaborating
with the Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our
jurisdiction.
The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further
consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing
consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction
over any subject matter contained in this or similar
legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the
right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of
conferees, should it become necessary, and ask that you
support such a request.
We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming
this understanding with respect to H.R. 183 and request a
copy of our letters on this matter be published in the
Congressional Record during Floor consideration.
Sincerely,
Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC, July 9, 2025.
Hon. Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,
Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I write regarding our mutual
understanding of H.R. 183, the Law Enforcement Officer
Recreation Pass Act, which was ordered report by the
Committee on Natural Resources.
I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture and
appreciate your willingness to forgo further consideration of
the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee on Agriculture
will not formally consider H.R. 183 and agree that the
inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not
waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained
therein.
I am pleased to support your request to name members of the
Committee on Agriculture to any conference committee to
consider such provisions. I will ensure that our exchange of
letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor
consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation
regarding this legislation.
Sincerely,
Bruce Westerman,
Chairman.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Madam Speaker, H.R. 183 would amend the Federal
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide free America the Beautiful
passes to law enforcement officers and firefighters.
Expanding outdoor recreation and ensuring Americans can access and
enjoy our public lands is a shared bipartisan priority on the Natural
Resources Committee. Currently, the National Park Service offers free
national park and Federal recreation land passes to certain groups,
including U.S. military members and veterans. This legislation builds
on this framework by waiving entrance, standard amenity, and day-use
fees at over 2,000 Federal recreation sites for law enforcement
officers and firefighters.
These hardworking Americans put their lives on the line to protect
and serve our communities every day. An America the Beautiful pass is a
small but hopefully meaningful token of appreciation for their public
service.
Furthermore, let me say that I am glad to see my Republican
colleagues acknowledging the importance of our public servants, and I
hope they will join us, in the spirit of this legislation, to do more
to support and protect all of our Federal first responders.
These public servants dedicate their lives to serving the American
people. The administration has created chaos and confusion that adds to
the difficulty of their jobs through Federal hiring freezes, which have
left them short-staffed.
In addition to showing our appreciation for these critical public
servants and first responders, I hope my colleagues will work with us
to make sure that our Federal workers have the tools that they need to
do their jobs, to keep us safe, and to also keep our public lands open
and operating and in the hands of we the people.
[[Page H3497]]
For too many of our public lands and parks, after Federal employees
have been fired, let go, or pushed toward retirement, private entities
are managing these parks, so the America the Beautiful pass is not able
to allow free access to these public servants and people who have put
their lives on the line to protect and serve our country.
Madam Speaker, I would love to work with everyone on that, as well. I
urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of
my time.
Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I will make a comment that the Republican
Party will always defend the police, not defund them.
Madam Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from California
(Mr. McClintock), the lead sponsor of this bill.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, as has been noted, H.R. 183 simply
extends the lifetime national parks pass to the frontline public safety
officers who risk their lives every day to protect our families and
communities. It is the same courtesy we already extend to U.S. military
members and their families, to our veterans, and to our Gold Star
families. The CBO estimates its cost at about $500,000 a year.
These men and women, just like those who serve our military, put
their lives on the line to protect our families. It seems fitting that
we should extend this small courtesy to them. It is simply a way to say
thank you to them, a simple but tangible token of our gratitude and
esteem.
I first introduced this legislation during the George Floyd riots,
when BLM rioters were chanting: ``Pigs in a blanket, fry `em like
bacon,'' and leftist politicians were calling for defunding local
police departments. We recently expanded it to include firefighters and
wildland firefighters, to whom we owe so much for protecting our homes,
towns, and communities, as well.
The bill was proposed to me by Janine D'Agostini, the wife of then-El
Dorado County Sheriff John D'Agostini, as a small token of appreciation
for law enforcement officers who were taking so much abuse when they
were trying so hard to protect our families from those who would prey
upon them.
Madam Speaker, it seems that, in those years, the wheel has come full
circle. Once again, law enforcement personnel are the target of doxing,
violent demonstrations, and leftist officials who so often seem to take
the side of the lawless against the law-abiding.
Our hearts go out to the many officers of ICE and CBP and their
families who have recently been subjected to violence and intimidation,
often fanned by the extremist rhetoric of elected officials who ought
to know better.
In fact, just 2 weeks ago, while ICE was serving a court-ordered
warrant in Carpinteria, a sitting Member of this House doxed an ICE
agent to a violent mob. That mob then took off after the agent and
physically attacked him with rocks, injuring him seriously enough to
require treatment in a hospital emergency room.
This has to stop. We want these brave men and women and their
families to know that the vast majority of the American people, the
majority of this Congress, and, of course, this President stand behind
them, appreciate them, and honor their work. We depend upon them not
only for our safety but for the very rule of law itself.
After all, without law enforcement, there is no law. Without law,
there is no civilization, as people in sanctuary cities like Los
Angeles, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York are
learning all too well once again.
This bill was first introduced in 2021. It received a hearing in 2023
but was never marked up. It is long overdue, and I appreciate the House
finally considering it today.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my
time.
Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleagues that we should defend the
police and firefighters. I come from a family of police and
firefighters who put their lives on the line every day when they went
to work. I will happily work with my Republican colleagues to defend
police and firefighters and make sure not to defund them by protecting
their public pensions, collective bargaining rights, cancer prevention,
training grants, and grants to our local police departments that are
now being frozen, putting us in limbo.
This is a very real issue that I know I can work with my Republican
colleagues on to make sure that our public lands are not being operated
by private entities that refuse to recognize the benefits provided for
in this law. This is happening across the country, and in my district,
I know specifically, where they refuse to grant free entry for veterans
and military personnel. They say that they don't have to because they
are a private entity.
I would love to make sure that whoever is operating our public parks
is keeping them public and that these people who earned our trust and
earned this benefit and every benefit that we can give them are
actually able to get that.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 1630
Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I will close by saying that 2 weeks ago, in
the One Big Beautiful Bill, there were 18,000 law enforcement officers
that were to be hired. Not one of my colleagues on the other side of
the aisle voted for it.
Mr. Speaker, ahead of our Nation's 250th anniversary next year, this
bill ensures meaningful access to our national parks and public lands
and recognizes the immense service and sacrifice of our Nation's law
enforcement officers and firefighters.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bacon). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 183, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend
the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide for a free
annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass for law
enforcement officers and firefighters.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________