Gluesenkamp Perez Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Group of Lawmakers Calling for Urgent Passage of Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), along with a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers, called on House Leadership to advance critical bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program before the end of this calendar year. 

“In FY 2023, the SRS program provided $281 million to more than 700 counties across 41 states supporting rural communities across Republican and Democratic districts, underscoring the program’s broad, bipartisan importance to local governments that are home to federally managed land,” wrote the lawmakers. 

They continued, “We urge the U.S. House of Representatives to advance S.356 for immediate consideration as a standalone measure or as part of a broader end of year legislative funding vehicle. Rural counties, parishes, and boroughs across the country are already facing the impact of the program’s expiration. The SRS program underscores the vital partnership between federal land management and local government services, supporting everything from wildfire mitigation and forest health to the maintenance of roads and support of public schools. With longstanding and strong bipartisan support behind SRS, Congress must reaffirm its commitment to these rural counties.”

The full text of the letter can be found here. 

SRS funds schools and roads in rural communities across Southwest Washington that have been prevented from harvesting the amount of timber they need to generate adequate revenue. Since its enactment, SRS has provided $7 billion in payments to more than 700 counties and 4,400 school districts across 40 states.

• In Skamania County, only 1.8 percent of land can generate revenue for public services, and SRS funding accounts for 5.1 percent of the county’s budget.
  
• In FY 2023, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Skamania Counties received significant amounts of funding through SRS.

Because Congress failed to extend SRS authorization at the end of FY23, the program is now behind schedule. The consequences of the resulting budget shortfalls have been stark – educators and support staff have been laid off in Skamania County, Wind River Middle School closed its doors this past Fall, and infrastructure projects have been cancelled and delayed in Lewis County.

On June 18, 2025, the Senate unanimously passed the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Reauthorization Act of 2025– bipartisan legislation to fully fund SRS. House companion legislation (H.R. 1383) was introduced in February, and is co-sponsored by 75 Members of Congress.

This July, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez sent a letter to House Leadership urging them to take up this legislation. The full letter can be found here. 

In February, she helped introduce the bipartisan Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act in the House, and she held a press conference with Skamania County leaders to underscore the dire stakes of reauthorization.

Video of the February press conference can be found here.

In January, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez urged House Leadership to pass SRS reauthorization before the program could no longer stay on schedule. Last year, she also pressed House Leadership to include reauthorization in must-pass legislation before the end of the calendar year.

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