{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/in-face-of-layoffs-golden-co-sponsors-protect-our-parks-act-of-2025", "In face of layoffs, Golden co-sponsors\u00a0Protect our Parks Act of 2025", "2025-05-29", "2025", "2025-05", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) this week announced the introduction of H.R. 3555, the Protect our Parks Act of 2025, to ensure the country\u2019s 63 national parks and hundreds of other sites managed by the National Park Service (NPS) are adequately staffed.\n\n\u201cIf there\u2019s one thing Mainers know, it\u2019s the value of the great outdoors. As we approach the busy summer season, Congress must act to ensure our treasured national parks have the resources they need to meet their mission,\u201d Golden said. \u201cPrior generations ensured the federal lands managed by the National Park Service were protected for us. Now it\u2019s our turn to step up and guarantee their future for our grandchildren.\u201d\n\nGolden is an original co-sponsor of the bill, which directs the Secretary of the Interior to ensure adequate staffing within the NPS for the overall safety and wellbeing of visitor safety and natural and cultural resource protection.\n\nIt orders the reinstatement of any individuals terminated as part of the Administration\u2019s mass firings, beginning on January 20, 2025, providing staffing levels necessary to keep critical federal projects moving \u2014 including those funded by the Great American Outdoors Act; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; Inflation Reduction Act; and Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.\n\nGolden is a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Subcommittee on Federal Lands. In a May committee vote, he opposed the House GOP\u2019s plan to slash $279 million from the NPS. He has a long track record of support for America\u2019s parks system.\n\n\u201cOur national parks are invaluable treasures, preserving America\u2019s natural and cultural heritage,\u201d said Eric Stiles, president and CEO of Friends of Acadia. \u201cEnsuring national parks are fully staffed is crucial for conservation, the visitor experience, and the success of vital projects. The Protect Our Parks Act calls for the reinstatement of dedicated personnel and safeguards key investments like the Great American Outdoors Act. Friends of Acadia applauds Congressman Jared Golden\u2019s leadership in co-sponsoring this bill, ensuring these cherished places remain protected and accessible for future generations.\u201d\n\n\u201cFriends of Katahdin Woods & Waters thanks Congressman Golden for cosponsoring the Protect Our Parks Act,\u201d said Brian Hinrichs, executive director of Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters. \u201cAt this critical time, we value his leadership in voicing the need for the National Park Service to be fully staffed and funded. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument not only protects a treasured landscape, but serves as an economic driver in the community, especially when full hiring is permitted and critical projects can move forward.\u201d\n\nMaine\u2019s 2nd Congressional District is home to Acadia National Park \u2014 one of the ten most visited national parks in the United States \u2014 and the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. With annual visitation numbers continuing to increase, these public lands need significant infrastructure investments. In the 118th Congress, Golden helped pass the Great American Outdoors Act to address maintenance backlogs at places such as Acadia and to establish permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.\n\nFull text of the bill can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:49:36Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/in-face-of-layoffs-golden-co-sponsors-protect-our-parks-act-of-2025"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7173730991780758, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}