This news was in light of the "Delta Queen" being honored as a "National Treasure" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation on September 21, 2013. Congress gave a vote on giving the "Delta Queen" an exemption to allow it to travel the rivers again in 2013, but the exemption bill failed to pass. The "Delta Queen" was then bought by the newly formed Delta Queen Steamboat Co. in early 2015. It departed Chattanooga for restoration in New Orleans on March 22, 2015. for repairs and upgrades in Houma, Louisiana. She safely arrived on April 7, 2015, in her temporary slip for restoration.