Warner & Kaine Encouraged by National Park Service Exemptions to Hiring Freeze
This follows push from senators and other Democrats in Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) reacted to reports that the National Park Service plans to exempt certain law enforcement positions, including law enforcement rangers and public safety dispatchers, from President Donald Trump’s federal hiring freeze. This follows a push from the senators and other Democrats in Congress.
“President Trump’s hiring freeze on the law enforcement officers needed to keep Virginia’s National Parks safe jeopardized our parks’ ability to host visitors—and in turn posed a serious threat to the local economies that rely on them. That’s why we quickly wrote to the Administration urging them to exempt these positions and other seasonal staff from the freeze. We’re relieved that the Administration is heeding our call, and will continue to push for additional exemptions for National Park Service employees ahead of the summer peak season,” said Warner and Kaine.
In 2023, Virginia attracted over 23 million park visitors, which supported 21,000 jobs and generated over $2 billion in economic output in the Commonwealth.
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