Senate Announces FY2020 Spending Package Including Interior Appropriations Bill. Vote Expected Next Week
This week, Senate leaders announced they would work to advance an FY2020 spending package of 4 appropriations bill including the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill, which funds several preservation priorities. All 4 bills included in the package were passed out of committee with unanimous support. The Senate began debate on the spending package this week and are expected to vote on the package as early as Monday.
The Senate FY20 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill includes $113.16 million for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), an increase of $10.5 million over FY19 enacted levels. This includes important increases for the State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, the Save America's Treasures program, and the Historic Revitalization grant program. While this is below the funding levels included in the House bill, it still represents a significant increase for the HPF. The bill also includes an increase to $21.994 for the Heritage Partnership Program which supports National Heritage Areas, and fully funds the American Battlefield Protection Program at $10 million. The Senate bill also included strong report language objecting to the proposed rule changes to the National Register of Historic Places.
If passed, the Senate will go into conference with the House to resolve the differences between the two bills. The House and Senate will first need to agree to 302(b) allocations which establishes top line spending numbers for each subcommittee. The current Continuing Resolution funds the government through November 21st.
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