Honoring Our First Responders and Supporting National Security

Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on six bills honoring law enforcement first responders and continuing the use of several military installations critical to national security. Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) issued the following statement in response:

"Today, the Federal Lands Subcommittee advanced several pieces of legislation that honor our nation's military, law enforcement and first responders. These actions advance President Trump's executive orders to promote military readiness, support law enforcement and make America beautiful again. We will continue to recognize the vital role of law enforcement and EMS personnel and ensure that all Americans can enjoy the public lands and historic resources that tell our nation's story."

Background

H.R. 309, the National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), will honor law enforcement by providing grants to support the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund and its community outreach initiatives. This legislation aligns with President Trump's Executive Order (EO) 14288, "Strengthening and Unleashing America's Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens."

H.R. 2196, introduced by U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), honors our nation's emergency medical services (EMS) providers by extending the timeline for the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to construct a memorial to fallen EMS personnel.

H.R. 4386, introduced by U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), will permit America the Beautiful annual pass holders to enter national parks and federal lands with up to two motorcycles. This is a return to the previous policy and will encourage motorcycle tourism on our federal lands.

H.R. 5131, the Public Lands Military Readiness Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Nick Begich (R-Alaska), withdraws public land for use by the military to provide long-term certainty to the military and protect the unique training environments, infrastructure and restricted airspace necessary to maintain military superiority and counter America's adversaries. This legislation directly reflects the priorities set forth in President Trump's EO 14183, "Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness," which reaffirmed America's commitment to maintaining the most capable armed forces in the world.

H.R. 4284, the Small Cemetery Conveyance Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), will amend the Small Tract Act of 1983 to authorize the conveyance of parcels of federal land to be transferred to state and local governments, Indian tribes, and qualified land grant-merced communities for cemetery purposes.

H.R. 4467, the Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), will authorize the conveyance of 10 acres of National Park Service land to the State of Mississippi for the construction of a new welcome and interpretive center at Vicksburg National Military Park. By improving visitor experiences and enhancing a site integral to American history, the bill advances the goals of President Trump's EO 14189, "Celebrating America's 250th Birthday," and EO 14314, "Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks."