President Trump Signs Simpson Led Outdoors Bill into Law

Great American Outdoors Act takes care of public lands, parks, and more

Washington, D.C. - On Tuesday, in the East Room of the White House, President Donald J. Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act into law. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson was the lead Republican sponsor of the bill in the House when the bill passed with over 300 votes. The legislation fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund and dedicates funding for the maintenance backlog that currently exists on public lands. Both programs are funded without using any taxpayer dollars.

“This is truly a historic day for public lands in the country,” said Simpson. “This legislative effort has been a long journey dating back to when I first wrote the LAND Act. It is so gratifying to see this framework embraced in a bipartisan manner under the banner of the Great American Outdoors Act, and I thank the President for making this idea the law of the land. In Idaho, we are blessed with amazing public lands and this legislation will ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy them as we have.”

The Great American Outdoors Act will help preserve public lands and visitor access for generations to come, while also creating jobs and positive economic impacts for local, often rural, communities. In 2019, over 327 million national park visits led to $21 billion in direct spending at hotels, restaurants, outfitters, and other amenities in gateway communities, supporting over 340,000 jobs and generating over $40 billion in total economic output. Nationally, outdoor recreation contributes $778 billion in consumer spending and supports 5.2 million American jobs. A recent study found that components of the Great American Outdoors Act alone will support over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Watch Simpson speak on the U.S. House of Representatives floor here.

###