Crapo, Wyden, Risch, Merkley Celebrate Senate Passage of Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) celebrated the Senate’s unanimous passage of their legislation, S. 356, to reauthorize the U.S. Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program (SRS) through Fiscal Year 2026.

“In many rural counties in Idaho, the loss of resource revenue sharing from vast tracts of federally owned land inhibit counties’ ability to support local schools or even fund basic emergency services--including search and rescue,” said Crapo.  “The Senate’s unanimous passage of legislation to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program is a critical first step in meeting the federal government’s responsibility to rural communities containing tax-exempt public lands.  Without SRS, many counties in Idaho and across the country will fall short of the financial means to provide for these integral community functions for local residents and visitors alike.  I urge the U.S. House of Representatives to move expeditiously on this legislation.”

“This is a significant, encouraging and urgently needed step for Oregonians living and working in counties that have depended for decades on these federal investments for local schools, roads, law enforcement and more,” said Wyden, who co-authored the initial bipartisan SRS legislation in 2000.  “I’m glad the Senate has once again done the right thing by passing this bill in a timely fashion, and I strongly urge the House to act ASAP to reconnect this proven lifeline for rural communities in Oregon and nationwide.”

“Idaho counties rely on SRS funding for schools, road maintenance, and other essential services. Until we can bring historic timber revenue back to these areas, this program must be reauthorized,” said Risch. “The federal government made a promise to rural communities, and I’m proud to see the Senate follow through.”

“Our bipartisan bill provides reliable funding that is crucial to keeping schools and libraries open, maintaining roads, restoring watersheds, and ensuring there are police officers and firefighters to keep rural?communities safe,” said Merkley.  “Congress must swiftly pass this bill to extend the SRS program so Oregon communities can maintain access to these important lifelines and resources.” 

The Senate’s additional co-sponsors of the measure include Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire), John Curtis (R-Utah), Patty Murray (D-Washington), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) and Adam Schiff (D-California).

Crapo, Wyden, Risch and Merkley introduced the legislation in the 118th Congress, and the Senate unanimously passed it in November 2024.  It did not receive a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives before the end of the Congress.  The House must reauthorize the program as soon as possible to avoid a gap in funding for rural counties that rely on the program for much-needed services.

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