Rep. Joel Hefley (R-CO) sponsored H.R. 260, which would direct the secretary of the Interior to prepare a comprehensive plan for the National Park System. The secretary would be required to review the 315 units of the National Park System not specifically designated "national parks" and recommend units, or portions of units, for elimination. The secretary's findings would be reassessed by a commission whose sole responsibility would be to send to Congress a list of parks to be closed.

Hefley and other supporters argue that there are too many parks and not enough money. Environmentalists view H.R. 260 as an attempt to cull the National Park System of cultural and historical parks as well as national park areas near cities. Instead, conservationists support Rep. Bill Richardson's (D-NM) legislation, H.R. 2181, which would meet park funding needs by raising revenue from park concessions and increasing entry fees.

National Parks Subcommittee Chairman James Hansen (R-UT) brought the Hefley bill to the floor on the "suspension calendar," which limits debate, prohibits amendments, and requires a two-thirds majority for passage. On September 19, 1995, H.R. 260 failed 180 - 231. NO is the pro-environment vote.