Right now, there is an opportunity before Congress to build on a successful bipartisan effort that has already delivered real results for South Dakota. The America the Beautiful Act would extend the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through 2033 and increase its annual funding. This is a practical solution to a very real problem.

Mount Rushmore itself has approximately 13 million dollars in deferred maintenance needs. That includes critical systems like wastewater infrastructure, buildings, roads and electrical systems that visitors never see but rely on every day. When these systems fall behind, it impacts safety, visitor experience and long term preservation.

The Legacy Restoration Fund, first created under the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020, has proven that targeted investment works. Across the country, more than one thousand projects have been funded, addressing hundreds of millions of dollars in long overdue repairs. Here in South Dakota, 19 projects have already been funded, with six completed and more underway.

These investments are not abstract. They are visible in safer trails, improved access, restored historic structures and stronger infrastructure that supports both visitors and staff. They also support local jobs and contractors who carry out this work in our communities.

At Mount Rushmore, we welcome millions of visitors each year. Those visitors support local businesses across the Black Hills and beyond. Tourism is not just about scenery. It is about economic impact. When infrastructure falls into disrepair, it threatens that impact.

The America the Beautiful Act recognizes that maintenance is not a one-time project. It is an ongoing responsibility. By extending the Legacy Restoration Fund, Congress can ensure that parks like Mount Rushmore do not fall back into a cycle of deferred maintenance that only grows more expensive over time.

This legislation also encourages partnerships. It prioritizes projects that include private donations, which aligns closely with the mission of the Mount Rushmore Society. Public private partnerships have always been part of how we sustain and enhance our national treasures.

South Dakota’s congressional delegation understands the importance of this issue. Leader John Thune has an opportunity to help move this legislation forward, working alongside colleagues from both parties. With 65 Senators already signed on as co-sponsors, the momentum is there. What is needed now is action.

This is not a partisan issue. It is about stewardship. It is about taking care of what we have already built and ensuring that future generations can experience it in the same way we do today.

Mount Rushmore tells a story about who we are as a nation. Maintaining it is a responsibility we all share. The America the Beautiful Act is a smart and necessary step to meet that responsibility.

In this year, in which we celebrate the 250^th birthday of our country, I urge Congress to bring this bill to the floor and pass it without delay. South Dakota’s parks, our communities and our economy depend on it.

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