Here We Go Again: The Public Lands Sell-Off Is Back

Senator Mike Lee is reviving efforts to sell off public lands in the reconciliation bill

Just weeks after a public outcry forced House Republicans to strip a provision that would have sold off nearly half a million acres of public land in Nevada and Utah, Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) is attempting to reinsert similar language into the Senate's version of the reconciliation bill.

It’s a brazen move, one that flies in the face of overwhelming public opposition, clear warnings from Western Republicans, and the lessons of history. But this is Mike Lee we’re talking about, the most anti-public lands senator perhaps ever.

In the Senate, They Might Have the Numbers

Let’s talk votes.

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) appears to be a no. But not because he cares about public lands, he just opposes any bill that spends money, no matter what it does.

Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) have both publicly opposed selling public lands and pledged not to vote for it. If they hold to that, which we need to remind them to, it would give us three GOP no votes, enough to make it a 50-50 tie.

But that’s where Vice President J.D. Vance comes in. He’s the tie-breaker.

So, if the Senate passes this, it will likely be because he cast the deciding vote to sell off your public lands.

Now, the Republicans may not like the optics or the risk of having Vance break a tie over this issue for their “big beautiful bill” so that alone could kill it.

But since when did they care about optics?

The House Is Where This Can Be Stopped

The House is where this shameful effort can be shut down — again.

If it passes the Senate it has to come back to the House becuase it will have been altered from the version the House already passed.

Republicans hold 220 seats and need 218 votes to pass the reconciliation bill. That means they can only afford to lose two Republican votes before the reconciliation bill fails.

There are at least three GOP Representatives we know of who oppose this provision:

• Ryan Zinke (R-MT)

• Troy Downing (R-MT)

• Mike Simpson (R-ID)

All three stood up before and opposed this scheme and now they’ll need to do it again.

What We Need to Do

We need to email and/or call these three representatives and implore them to hold the line and keep our public lands in public hands.

This effort is best done carefully. Remember, these reps by in large support President Trump’s agenda, they just disagree on this one issue.

With that in mind, here’s an example email you can send that threads the needle:

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Subject: Please Stand Firm: No Public Land Sales in Reconciliation

Representative [Zinke / Downing / Simpson],

As you know, Senator Mike Lee has announced plans to revive provisions in the reconciliation bill that would authorize the sale or transfer of federal public lands. These lands belong to all Americans. They are part of our shared heritage, places for hunting, fishing, hiking, and connecting with the outdoors, passed down from one generation to the next.

You've made clear in the past that you do not support the disposal of public lands. You helped defeat this provision once already. I'm asking you to do it again.

Please stand by your commitment to keeping public lands in public hands. Do not support any reconciliation bill that includes the sale or transfer of our shared national heritage.

Your leadership on this issue matters deeply to those of us who care about the land, the access it provides, and the American legacy it represents.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

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Mike Lee is trying to gut your public lands behind closed doors. It’s a coward’s move, and we’re going to stop it. We did it before and we can do it again.

If these three representatives make it known they won’t vote for Lee’s provision the Senate won’t even bother to include it.

Stay strong and speak out.

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