National Park Service faces $1.06 billion cut including 26% reduction in operations funding

The Interior budget request proposed slashing the National Park Service budget by $1.06 billion, with operations funding cut by 26 percent. The reduction would impact park staffing, maintenance, and visitor services across the nation's 63 national parks. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) pressed Burgum on the impact to park staffing and water security during the hearing. (Senate Energy Committee, Apr. 29, 2026)