Senators’ Bill Would Create Lifetime Pass For Free Entry for Veterans

(U.S. Senate)—U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Jim Risch are encouraging the U.S. Interior Department to increase veterans’ access to national parks and public lands.

Tester and Risch are asking Secretary Zinke to support their bipartisan Honoring Service Through National Park Access Act to encourage more veterans to experience all National Park Service sites.  Tester and Risch’s bill creates a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass that veterans can purchase for a discounted, one-time fee.  The pass will allow veterans free entry to all sites for a lifetime.

“It is critically important that we reduce the barriers veterans face when accessing our National Parks and public lands,” the Senators wrote.  “We look forward to working with the Department of Interior as your advance initiatives to ensure that more veterans are able to experience these treasured places.” 

The Senators’ letter is in response to Zinke’s recent meeting with veteran service organizations regarding veteran’s access to national parks and public lands.

Tester and Risch underscored in their letter that they share Zinke’s sentiment that national parks and public lands provide veterans with a “healing opportunity for their physical and emotional wounds” from their service.

Tester and Risch’s letter to Zinke is available HERE.