VVF Statement on Congress Failure to Reauthorize and Fund LWCF

Today, the Republican-controlled Congress broke their promise to veterans by failing to permanently reauthorize and fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, America’s most successful conservation and outdoor recreation program. Congress’ inability to ensure long-lasting protection for our public lands and historic battlefields is a disgrace to those who have fought to defend our outdoor heritage. 

For more than 50 years, the LWCF has provided critical grants that protect and enhance national treasures. Veterans, and our loved ones, have relied on these open spaces to help reintegrate back into civilian life, hike, to hunt, fish, swim and play,” said Garett Reppenhagen, Vet Voice Foundation Western States Director. “Congress has failed veterans across the country by not reauthorizing LWCF. 

Vet Voice Foundation calls upon the new Congress to permanently reauthorize the LWCF with full and dedicated funding to ensure beneficial investment in management of America’s battlefields, monuments, and public lands for all Americans. Veterans rely on these lands when we return home to walk off the war, and the historic battlefields are where are forebearers shed blood. These are all lands that we love and must protect for future generations.