YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. — Vice President Mike Pence visited Yellowstone National Park on Thursday, spending time with park rangers and talking about the importance of the nation's national parks.
Pence arrived at Yellowstone at about 11 a.m., and had a short briefing with park rangers, who told the vice president about the science behind the park's famous geysers.
Pence and Interior secretary David Bernhardt then headed outside the visitors center to address park staff.
And old faithful, erupted right on cue.
"Boy, you gotta love Old Faithful at Yellowstone National Park, don’t ya?" Pence said.
After taking in the scene, the vice president spoke rangers about the importance of their job of maintaining national parks.
“These are extraordinary treasures," he said. "You are the stewards of these treasures.”
Pence assured park staff that President Trump is fully behind them in their mission.
“In this administration and this White House you have a president who is committed to conservation," he said. "President trump is committed to improving and bettering the national parks of the United States of America."
Interior secretary Bernhardt noted that there is work that needs to be done to get there.
“America loves its national parks, yet with the popularity of these iconic places the infrastructure needed to make sure visitor safely enjoy the experience is being stretched.”
Pence agreed, saying the back log of maintenance projects across the country need to be taken care of.
At Yellowstone those maintence projects include renovating the Old Faithful boardwalk.
To help accomplish projects, Pence says the president specifically requested $3 billion for the national parks service in the 2020 national budget.
He also talked about the newly proposed Public Lands Infrastructure Fund.
“Under President Trump's leadership we will dedicate 50 percent of all of the revenues from leases on public lands to improve and maintain the infrastructure of our national parks,” Pence said.
In closing remarks, Pence said he hopes all Americans will get a chance this summer to enjoy what makes the country so beautiful.
“Remind people across this country of what great treasures we have in our national parks and tell every American it’s time to load up the family and head to the nearest national park near you.”