Historic Preservation Win! House Votes Overwhelmingly to Extend Federal Battlefield Protection Program

(Washington, D.C.) — In a major win for the protection of America’s hallowed ground, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Battlefields Protection Program Amendments Act (HR 7618) this afternoon in a lopsided vote of 404-13. The bipartisan legislation, which garnered overwhelming support from both parties, reauthorizes the nation’s most effective historic battlefield preservation grant program in time for America’s semiquincentennial and the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War.  

The bill reauthorizes three American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) grant programs through 2036, designating $20 million annually to battlefield preservation efforts, including historic property acquisition, landscape restoration and site interpretation. Additionally, the legislation directs the National Park Service (NPS) and the Department of the Interior to prepare more detailed strategic studies of sites related to the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War, a major step toward expanding program eligibility. 

HR 7618 was introduced earlier this year by U.S. Representatives Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Seth Magaziner (D-RI), co-chairs of the Congressional Battlefields Caucus.  The Senate companion bill, S.3524, was introduced in December 2025 by U.S. Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA). 

“The passage of this bill sets in motion our preservation legacy for the next decade,” said American Battlefield Trust President David Duncan. “We are deeply grateful these lawmakers understand the power of America’s battlegrounds and are helping to safeguard our nation’s hallowed ground for generations to come.” 

Congresswoman Kiggans said, “In just a few weeks, our nation will celebrate America’s 250th birthday. As we reflect on the sacrifices made to secure and defend our freedoms, it is more important than ever that we preserve the battlefields where so much of our nation's history unfolded. These historic sites help tell the story of America's founding, honor those who came before us, and ensure future generations can learn from their legacy.” 

For a quarter-century, the ABPP’s Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant Program (BLAG) has been the principal mechanism for protecting America’s irreplaceable historic landscapes — with nearly 40,000 acres saved and counting. These matching grants are more important than ever as land prices skyrocket throughout the nation, driven by an explosion of data centers and related commercial development that is driving per-acre acquisition costs to record highs. 

“We must preserve these sacred sites and honor the brave Americans who fought on our soil to secure our nation’s freedom,” said Congressman Magaziner. “I am proud to help pass this important legislation so future generations can learn from, honor, and experience the places where history was made and so many sacrificed for our country.” 

Nearly $200 million in federal grants has been competitively awarded through the program, matched many times over by private donations and grants from states and localities. This process has allowed nonprofit groups to save battlefield land associated with some of the most iconic clashes in our country’s history, including Appomattox, Brandywine, Chattanooga, Gettysburg, Petersburg, Princeton, Saratoga and Vicksburg. Overall, nearly 40,000 acres of historic land at 100-plus battlefields have been preserved in 20 states.  

Currently, BLAG funding can be used to preserve land outside NPS boundaries at high priority battlefields from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and the Civil War. The bill directs NPS to investigate the feasibility of expanding eligibility for BLAG grants to sites related to the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War, building on 2020 studies funded by ABPP and conducted by Michigan State University and the American Battlefield Trust.  

As it proceeded through the legislative process, the bill enjoyed the bipartisan support of the leadership of the House Natural Resources Committee, Chairman Bruce Westerman (R- AR) and Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA), along with Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-WI) and Ranking Member Joe Neguse (D-CO) of the committee’s Federal Lands Subcommittee.  The full Natural Resources Committee reported the bill out favorably to the House of Representatives in April. 

The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 60,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War across 160 sites in 25 states. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.