1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

I am dismayed at the recent firing of National Park Service, BLM, and Forest Service employees. This will make outdoor recreation less accessible and less safe, dramatically reduce the $55 billion the NPS brings into our economy each year, and reduces our ever-growing deficit by an amount so minuscule, it requires three zeros after the decimal point. As your constituent, and someone who will be voting in a few years based on how you show up here, I’m asking you to advocate for the reinstatement of those positions and at minimum, restore the 2024 budget for the NPS. I am also asking you to publicly demand seasonal hiring proceed for the NPS. The federal hiring freeze, although listing exemptions for seasonal employment, is still blocking NPS hiring for the peak summer season. Seasonal staff at National Parks are absolutely essential for the management of the park and safety of its visitors. Senator Kim, your name was not on the list of signatures for the February 7th letter to Doug Burgum. I urge you to publicly push for an immediate exemption for NPS seasonal employees for the protection of our National Parks. This is not a partisan issue; our public lands belong to all of us, and are a big part of what makes America so beautiful. I, and your other constituents, will be watching what you do here very closely. As an elected official, you work for us. Do not disappoint us. Thank you.