Our team at Beehive Research compiled some background info on Senator Barrasso's (R-WY) recent letter to Secretary Haaland asking her to use visitors' fees to keep National Parks and public lands open during a potential government shutdown. We are compiling more resources on the potential park closures and will share them ASAP.

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Former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt did this during the 2019 government shutdown and the Government Accountability Office found his actions were illegal. Barrasso requested Haaland use the exact same funding mechanism that Bernhardt did, even though the GAO found that using FLREA funds to keep parks open during a shutdown was illegal.

Please see a document HERE that details Bernhardt's actions in 2019, the GAO response, and Barrasso's request from yesterday.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Best,

Chad

Chad Ellwood

Beehive Research