S. 2887, the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act, advanced out of committee on July 29, 2026.
S. 2887 — Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act
What it does
This bill designates Route 66 (the historic highway running 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, 1926–1985) as a National Historic Trail under federal management. The designation is largely ceremonial and protective of the trail's character, but the bill explicitly shields energy development, mining, and private land rights from any new restrictions—the Interior Department cannot acquire land without owner consent, cannot use eminent domain, and cannot regulate activities on adjacent private land even if visible from the trail.
Quorum's transparency scan gave Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act a moderate transparency flag.
What happens next
S. 2887 advanced out of committee. Next stop: a floor vote.
Who is behind it
Filed by Ted Cruz. Cosponsored by Alex Padilla, Ben Luján, Eric Schmitt and Mark Kelly.