Rep. Riley M. Moore, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia, recently posted several statements on his official social media account addressing national park policy and commemorating local coal miners.
On April 3, 2026, Moore expressed support for President Trump’s decision to implement higher entry fees for foreign visitors at certain national parks. He stated, “President Trump is right to charge higher prices for foreign visitors at certain national parks. Americans pay entry fees in addition to taxes to upkeep the parks. @RepRyanZinke @SenatorBanks @TimSheehyMT & my PATRIOT Parks Act would codify this action to invest in the future” (April 3, 2026).
Later that day, Moore posted a message honoring two West Virginia coal miners who had died. He wrote, “Please join Mina and me in praying for the repose of the souls of these two heroic West Virginia coal miners and for the comfort of their families. On this commemoration of Our Lord’s Passion, we pray particularly for the men and women who, in their work, offer their very lives” (April 3, 2026).
In another post on April 3, Moore shared a religious reflection: “We adore you, o Christ, and we praise you. Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.”
The PATRIOT Parks Act mentioned by Moore is legislation aimed at formalizing differential pricing policies at national parks based on visitor nationality as a means to secure additional funding for park maintenance and improvements.
West Virginia has a long history with coal mining; it remains one of the state’s key industries despite ongoing safety concerns and economic shifts affecting mining communities.
