Republicans in the House Rules Committee opted tonight to pull a provision from the budget reconciliation bill that could have authorized the sale of as many as 500,000 acres of federal public land.
The move comes on the heels of overwhelming opposition to the provision from hunters, anglers, and other public land advocates.
“This was my San Juan Hill; I do not support the widespread sale or transfer of public lands. Once the land is sold, we will never get it back. God isn’t creating more land,” said Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke, who spearheaded the effort in Congress to remove public land sales from the budget bill. “Public access, sportsmanship, grazing, tourism… our entire Montanan way of life is connected to our public lands. I don’t yield to pressure; I only yield to higher principle. There is a process to making sure that our lands are being used for the best benefit of the people.”
Zinke thanked House Speaker Mike Johnson for “listening to the concerns of the people of Montana and all Americans who love our public lands.” The sale provisions were removed during a meeting of the House Rules Committee using a procedure known as a “manager’s amendment,” which is a set of amendments offered by the majority of minority member of Congress who leads the debate of a bill.
“We extend our deep appreciation to Representative Ryan Zinke and Representative Mike Simpson for publicly opposing language in the House budget reconciliation bill that would sell off and sell out our public lands legacy,” said Kaden McArthur, BHA’s Director of Policy & Government Relations. “As the Senate considers a budget reconciliation bill, hunters and anglers across the nation must continue the groundswell of opposition to public land sales so it is understood that this is a line in the sand that we will not allow to be crossed.”
The bill still contains other items opposed by public land users, including removing protections for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and requiring oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The U.S. Senate could also reinsert public land sales when they have a chance to amend the legislation upon passage in the House.
This move nonetheless represents a huge victory for hunters and anglers who use and enjoy public land.
“I think we learned two important lessons here today. First, given the swift and vociferous opposition to this public land sale exhibited by the hunting and fishing community, I think it’s safe to say that elected officials will need to think twice before trying to pull another stunt like this,” observed MeatEater’s Mark Kenyon.
“And secondly, our voices still matter. This land sale would not have been pulled without the phone calls and emails and messages that made it politically viable to do so. To every hunter and angler out there who contacted an elected official, YOU did this. Don’t ever forget it.”
Of course, the budget still needs to pass the Senate, where public land sales could be reinserted into the legislation. Advocates are encouraging hunters and anglers to contact their U.S. senators and ask them to follow the House’s lead and refrain from selling America’s public lands. Click here to find and contact your senators.
This is a breaking story. Check back for more updates.
Read the full article here