Priorities and Positions
“Congress finds and declares that…the increased knowledge of our historic resources, the establishment of better means of identifying and administering them, and the encouragement of their preservation will improve the planning and execution of Federal and federally assisted projects, and will assist economic growth and development”
— National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
Advocacy and government relations are central to achieving ACRA’s goals. Through our Government Relations Committee, and with the support of our government relations counsel Agora, ACRA communicates with federal and state lawmakers, staffers, and agencies to ensure that the voice of the CRM industry is heard. To strengthen our industry, we help Members of Congress and government officials understand the scope of our business, the importance of historic preservation, and the impact of the cultural resource management industry on the economy.
ACRA’s Government Relations Committee has identified the following legislative and regulatory conditions that will allow the CRM industry to thrive:
- Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is consistently applied to all federal undertakings.
- SHPOs and THPOs have sufficient resources to carry out timely Section 106 reviews. Lack of sufficient resources leads to unnecessary delays on projects, which leads to poor outcomes for clients and resources.
- Small businesses are encouraged to thrive and to contract with the federal government.
Check out our Latest News section for updates on bills we are monitoring, our latest agency comment letters, and ways that you can help advocate for the CRM Industry.
Learn more about the issues ACRA works on below.
Your Congress in Action: October 5, 2026
The U.S. Senate left Washington last week, as Senators jetted home to join their House counterparts on the campaign trail. But before they left, four Senators left behind a major piece of legislation they hope Congress will pass after the election: a 417-page...
Senate Permitting Reform Bill: Additional Details
The Senate permitting reform bill unveiled yesterday would make the biggest changes to the Section 106 process since its enactment in 1966, limiting the number of undertakings subject to review and sharply curtailing consultation with SHPOs, THPOs and others,...
Senate Permitting Reform Deal Released
Senate negotiators have reached a bipartisan deal on a permitting reform bill that would amend the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and other laws - although the timing and possibility of Congressional action are up in the air....
ACTION ALERT: Now Ask Your Senator to Sign the Letter to the ACHP
Last week, we told you that a bipartisan group of House members have drafted a strong letter to the ACHP opposing their radical rewrite of the regulations that implement Section 106. Thanks to your advocacy, House representatives are speaking up against the ACHP plan...
Your Congress in Action: September 21, 2026
At the intersection of Michigan and Adams Avenues, across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago and down the block from the Adams/Wabash CTA station, stands a small sign marking the beginning of Route 66. From there, it will take you west, past the Willis (nee...
ACTION ALERT: Ask Your Representative to Sign the Letter to the ACHP
We need your help in asking your House representative to go on record opposing the ACHP’s radical rewrite of the regulations that implement Section 106! We don’t have to tell you how damaging the ACHP’s misguided plan is: by making early consultation optional and...