Columbia News

Senator Eric Schmitt addressed several policy issues in a series of posts on July 30, 2025, focusing on U.S. foreign policy and the management of national parks.

In a tweet posted at 13:04 UTC, Schmitt criticized longstanding approaches to American foreign relations, writing, "For too long, our foreign policy elites wagered American blood and treasure on the supposed goodwill of other nations, prioritizing international summits and diplomatic pageantry over hard-nosed strategy. President Trump and allies like Bridge Colby are charting a better course."

Later that day at 17:49 UTC, Schmitt turned his attention to conservation efforts and access to public lands. He stated, "Our ancestors settled this continent. They explored and mapped the wild frontier. They built the trails. They stewarded our homeland's incredible beauty—for themselves and their posterity. America's National Parks belong to Americans. Proud to cosponsor the PATRIOT Parks Act." In a follow-up post made seconds later, he added concerns about park funding mechanisms: "For generations, American taxpayers have funded the upkeep, maintenance and preservation of our extraordinary National Park system. At the same time, they have to pay the same upfront ticket price as foreign visitors. That's backwards. The PATRIOT Parks Act is long overdue."

The PATRIOT Parks Act referenced by Senator Schmitt seeks to change how entrance fees for national parks are structured so that American citizens pay less than foreign visitors—an idea rooted in arguments that domestic taxpayers already contribute significantly through federal funding for park operations.

National parks in the United States have historically relied on a combination of federal appropriations and visitor fees for their maintenance and operation costs. Current policies typically require all adult visitors—regardless of citizenship—to pay standard entry fees at most major sites.