Press Release: Senate Rejects Federal Land Sale Proposal Amid Mixed State Responses
Washington, D.C. — A proposal to sell over 2 million acres of federal lands has been excluded from the Republican tax and spending cut bill following a ruling by Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough. The plan, introduced by Senate Energy Chairman Mike Lee (R-Utah), aimed to transfer public lands in the West to state control for housing and infrastructure. This proposal had previously garnered attention as part of a broader push by Western conservatives.
Responses from Western state governors varied significantly. New Mexico’s Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham criticized the plan, citing the deep connection residents have with public lands. Meanwhile, Wyoming’s Governor Mark Gordon expressed conditional support, suggesting that state-by-state land management could enable responsible development in landlocked communities.
Despite the setback, Lee indicated he would continue to pursue the initiative, proposing revisions that would eliminate U.S. Forest Service lands from the sale and restrict potential sales to lands within five miles of population centers. “Housing prices are crushing families, and we need to change that,” Lee tweeted.
Environmental advocates hailed the ruling as a victory for public lands. Tracy Stone-Manning, president of The Wilderness Society, emphasized that public lands should remain in public hands for future generations. Carrie Besnette Hauser, of the Trust for Public Land, echoed this sentiment, warning that threats to public land protections persist as other legislative proposals emerge.
The ruling came amid wider discussions on federal land management and development. The controversial plan highlighted divisions among Republicans regarding the balance between land development and conservation.
As Congress approaches critical deadlines for budget reconciliation, lawmakers remain vigilant against ongoing proposals that could undermine federal land conservation.
Source
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
