Revised GOP plan would sell up to 1.2M acres of public lands
Share this @internewscast.com

(The Hill) — According to legislative text accessed by The Hill, a modified proposal from Senate Republicans would involve selling up to 1.2 million acres of public land.

The revised document mandates selling off 0.25 to 0.5 percent of the 245 million acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management, equating to 612,500 to 1.225 million acres.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) is spearheading the plan, which would be included in the GOP’s megabill to advance much of President Donald Trump’s agenda.

Lee indicated he would amend his initial proposal, which aimed to sell off 2.2 million to 3.3 million acres, after the Senate parliamentarian determined it couldn’t be included in the party’s budget plan.

Lee’s office did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment. 

The text obtained by The Hill only pertains to Bureau of Land Management lands, complying with Lee’s promise to ax provisions in his original bill that would have also included National Forests.

The text also makes further changes: It specifies that land that is sold must be used “solely for the development of housing or to address any infrastructure and amenities to support local needs associated with housing.”

It excludes federally protected land and land that is already being used for other purposes, such as animal grazing. It also requires land sold to be within five miles of the “the border of a population center.”

When he announced the plan, Lee, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said he wanted to sell the land in order “to expand housing, support local development and get Washington, D.C., out of the way of communities that are just trying to grow.”

Lee’s land sales plan has been met with significant pushback, including from Democrats who held a roundtable on Wednesday morning opposing it.

“Lands like these are supposed to belong to every single American,” said Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) 

“Some of my colleagues are very serious about taking these places away and giving them to someone else…we will not let them sell our birthright to build luxury condos or second homes or to pay for tax cuts,” Heinrich added.

The proposal is being included as part of a massive package being passed through a process known as “reconciliation” that requires only a simple majority — sidestepping the need to include any Senate Democrats. However, the upper chamber has rules about what types of policies can be subject to this process, which evades the filibuster’s 60-vote threshold.

It’s not immediately clear if the updated version will be allowed into the bill.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Study Reveals Trump’s Immigration Policies Could Slash 15 Million Workers by 2035 – Economic Impact Looms

A recent study unveiled on Friday forecasts that President Trump’s immigration policies…

Newly Unveiled Epstein Files: Ex-Trump Secretary’s Interview Revealed by House Committee

The House Oversight Committee unveiled new documents on Friday related to the…

French IV Leads Georgia Southern to Commanding 41-24 Win Against Georgia State

In a thrilling encounter at Statesboro, Georgia Southern mounted an impressive comeback…

Warm Breezes and Showers Sweep Through Sunday: Sunshine Set to Return Next Week

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The serene weather experienced during the workweek extended into…

Blind Artist Defies Odds by Mastering Tattoo Artistry

POLAND, Ohio (WKBN) — Despite being legally blind, Nicole Morrone brings vibrant…

US-19 Chaos: Two Separate Crashes in Tarpon Springs Leave Three Hospitalized

In Tarpon Springs, Florida, a series of incidents on US-19 led to…

Key Dates to Watch for the Potential Resolution of the Shutdown

As of Friday, the government shutdown has entered the ranks of the…

Urbana Hosts Inspiring Event to Honor Survivors for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — As October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the…

Man Allegedly Poses as Lawyer to Infiltrate Oklahoma Jail, Sparks Security Concerns

In a curious twist of events in Oklahoma City, a man has…

Weekend Weather Alert: Late Sunday Rain Front Set to Impact Regions

The remainder of your Saturday promises to be pleasant, with mostly clear…

Hundreds Rally in Tampa for ‘No Kings’ Protest Movement

Across the United States, including in the Tampa Bay area, ‘No Kings’…

Shipley’s 45-Yard Field Goal in Overtime Secures Texas Victory Over Kentucky, 16-13

LEXINGTON, Ky. – In an intense overtime showdown, Mason Shipley successfully kicked…