1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support $427.3 million in funding for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). NARA plays a critical role in preserving, protecting, and making accessible the records that document our nation's history, legal rights, and government accountability. Every day, Americans rely on NARA’s holdings to research their family histories, understand our nation's past, and access crucial legal records for land rights, military service, and citizenship claims. Filmmakers, educators, and historians use these records to bring America’s stories to life, ensuring that future generations can learn from our shared history. However, NARA has faced decades of stagnant funding, despite the exponential growth of government records and the urgent need to digitize them for public access. Currently, only 3% of NARA’s textual records are available online, severely limiting access for the public and researchers alike. Without adequate funding, delays in digitization and preservation efforts will continue, threatening the integrity of these irreplaceable records. Investing in NARA is an investment in transparency, education, and economic growth. I urge you to prioritize full funding for NARA to ensure that America’s history remains preserved and accessible for generations to come.