Austin News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has joined forces with Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) to introduce the American Battlefield Protection Program Enhancement Act. This bill aims to update and improve the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) administered by the National Park Service (NPS), with the goal of conserving America's historic battlefields.

The ABPP, established in 1996, has been instrumental in preserving over 35,000 acres of land across twenty states. The proposed legislation seeks to enhance this program's effectiveness by implementing several key changes.

One of the primary objectives of the American Battlefield Protection Program Enhancement Act is to expand eligibility for ABPP grants. Currently, only state and local governments can apply for funding. However, the new bill would allow nonprofits and tribes to directly apply for grants as well. This change aims to increase participation and encourage a wider range of organizations to take part in preserving historic battlefields.

Furthermore, the proposed legislation seeks to ensure that Battlefield Restoration Grant funding is available for all battlefields. The ABPP currently administers four grant programs, including Preservation Planning, Battlefield Land Acquisition, Battlefield Restoration, and Battlefield Interpretation. Under current law, only land acquired through a Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant is eligible for a Restoration Grant. The Restoration Grant provides funds to restore Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War landscapes to their day-of-battle conditions, enhancing the visitor experience. The American Battlefield Protection Program Enhancement Act would remove this requirement and make Restoration Grant funding available to properties not acquired through a Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant.

Additionally, the bill aims to clarify the eligibility of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites for Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants. While current law allows battlefields and sites associated with these historical events to be eligible for ABPP funding, the proposed legislation seeks to clarify that only battlefields are eligible.

The American Battlefield Protection Program Enhancement Act also addresses the issue of expanding and updating historic battlefield boundaries. Currently, only lands identified in NPS maps are eligible for ABPP Battlefield Land Acquisition funding, and any updates to these maps must be approved by Congress. This can pose challenges when new archaeology or research indicates that the historic extent of a battlefield is different from the original NPS maps. The bill proposes a streamlined process for expanding and updating these boundaries, making it easier for certain sites to receive ABPP funding.

Sen. Cruz, upon co-sponsoring the bill, emphasized the importance of preserving these historic battlefields, stating, "Our country was built upon the backs of brave American soldiers who fought to secure the democratic liberties we hold today. Strengthening the American Battlefield Protection Program is necessary to preserve the land where these historic battles occurred to educate future generations of Americans about the rich history that shaped our country."

The American Battlefield Protection Program Enhancement Act has garnered support from a bipartisan group of senators, including Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).

This bill represents a significant step towards the preservation and commemoration of America's historic battlefields. By expanding eligibility for grants, ensuring funding for restoration, clarifying eligibility criteria, and improving the process for updating battlefield boundaries, the proposed legislation seeks to safeguard these crucial sites of armed conflict. As Sen. Cruz stated, this effort is crucial in educating future generations about the history that shaped our nation.