The 118th Congress wrapped up their legislative activity on December 20th. After tense negotiations Congress successfully averted a government shutdown by agreeing to a continuing resolution (CR). This extends current funding levels through March 14th, when Republicans will control the House, Senate, and Presidency. 

In addition to the CR, the year-end bill also included a disaster assistance package, which provided $50 million in supplemental disaster assistance for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). This provides critical funding for historic preservation work in response to the consequences of natural disasters in 2024. 

Preservation Action, along with our national preservation partners, sent a letter to Congress requesting funding for preservation as a part of disaster relief. In the letter we highlight the thousands of historic properties that were damaged, flooded, or destroyed across the Southeast from Hurricanes Milton and Helene, and catastrophic damage caused by the wildfires in Maui.

This is very positive news for historic preservation. Preservation Action appreciates the bipartisan support in Congress for this important funding.