House Republicans Push Through Controversial Bill to Sell Public Lands
In a contentious move, Rep. Mark Amodei led House Republicans on Monday in advancing a reconciliation bill that includes an amendment aimed at selling off over 93,000 acres of public lands in Nevada. Environmentalists and congressional Democrats expressed deep concerns over the late-night decision.
The House Natural Resources Committee approved the amendment, introduced by Amodei (R-Nev.) and Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-Utah), permitting the sale of significant tracts of land, including approximately 65,129 acres in Clark County, 15,860 acres in Washoe County, and 12,085 acres in Lyon County. Additionally, around 356,100 acres in Pershing County are up for sale or exchange.
The amendment stipulates that some Clark and Washoe County lands will be designated for affordable housing, while Lyon County’s land is intended for development as the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center II. "This bill will generate over $18.5 billion and help unleash the United States’ abundant natural resources," stated Rep. Bruce Westerman, Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
However, Nevada’s House Democrats criticized the bill for redirecting proceeds from federal land sales away from state benefits to fund tax cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Rep. Dina Titus called it a betrayal, while Rep. Susie Lee labeled it a “slap in the face” to Nevadans. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto condemned the proposal as "insane," claiming it disregards previous bipartisan conservation efforts.
Additionally, Native American activists expressed concerns that the amendment targets Tribal homelands, likening it to a historical pattern of land erasure. Environmental groups also criticized the bill for bypassing standard public review processes generally required for land sales.
As the situation unfolds, stakeholders continue to voice their opposition, emphasizing that responsible governance should prioritize environmental protection and community needs.
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