Boone and Crockett Joins Over 100 Others Endorsing Veterans In Parks Act

The Boone and Crockett Club endorsed H.R. 4300, the Veterans In Parks Act, which was introduced earlier today by Reps. Miller-Meeks and Gallego with an additional 133 bipartisan original cosponsors! 

The Veterans in Parks Act, or VIP Act, is a bipartisan bill led by U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), that recognizes our active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and Gold Star families should be treated like VIPs in America’s national parks and on our public lands.

The VIP Act would:

• Provide free annual America the Beautiful Passes to current military service members.
• Provide free lifetime America the Beautiful Passes to veterans and members of Gold Star Families so they can freely enter all our national parks and public lands.

Background

The America the Beautiful Pass provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including our national parks, national forests, and wildlife refuges. This includes some of the country’s most iconic treasures, ranging from the majestic Grand Canyon National Park to the awe-inspiring Redwood National Forest. Although we can never fully repay the debt we owe to our servicemembers and veterans, the VIP Act would allow them, along with Gold Star Family members, to visit our national parks and public lands free of charge. In 2020, the America the Beautiful annual pass became free for veterans and Gold Star Families. However, this change for veterans has never been codified and could be undone in future years. The VIP Act protects these passes by codifying them and making them lifetime passes instead of annual passes. The VIP Act also creates annual passes for current service members, which can be converted into lifetime passes once they leave the military.

Supporting Organizations

Paralyzed Veterans of America, Vista Outdoor, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Park Hospitality Association, the National Association of Counties, Outdoor Industry Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Evangelical Environmental Network, Wildlife Mississippi, Mississippi River Trust, American Sportfishing Association, American Cultural Resources Association, VoteVets, The Mission Continues, American Battlefield Trust, Camp Chef, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC), Delaware North, Trout Unlimited, National RV Dealers Association (RVDA), American Trails, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Boone and Crockett Club, Rugged Range, Bell Helmets, Blackburn, Blackhawk, Bushnell, CamelBak, CCI, Eagle Industries, Federal Ammunition, Giro, HEVI-Shot, Primos, Remington, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, American Hiking Society, Archery Trade Association, ConservAmerica, Southeast Tourism Society, The Corps Network, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, REI Co-op, Audubon, Sierra Club, U.S. Travel Association, National Wildlife Federation, American Conservation Coalition, America Outdoors, Student Conservation Association, Wildlife Management Institute, Association of Marina Industries, International Inbound Travelers Association, American Horse Council