Bipartisan public lands bill cuts against recent sell-off threats

WASHINGTON D.C. (Jan. 23, 2025) — Reps. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) and Ryan Zinke (R-MT) introduced bipartisan legislation that would ban the sale or transfer of most public lands by the Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service, and require congressional oversight of any public lands disposal. The proposal reflects the longstanding and widely held belief that public lands belong to the nation as a whole and should be passed down to future generations in good shape. 

The Public Lands in Public Hands Act could not be timelier. The 119th Congress kicked off in early January with a rules package that waives budget offset requirements for selling public lands, and per recent reporting, House Budget Committee Republicans now consider “sell[ing] federal lands” to be an option for budget reconciliation. Meanwhile, the state of Utah is still pushing a campaign for the “disposal” of 18.5 million acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management, even though the Supreme Court recently declined to hear their case. 

Vasquez and Zinke’s bill stands as a signal that selling off public lands should be a non-starter in the budget reconciliation process

Vasquez and Zinke’s bill should stand as a signal that keeping public lands in public hands is a vital cause transcending other political differences--and that selling off lands should be a non-starter in the budget reconciliation process.  

Barb Cestero, Montana state director for The Wilderness Society, made the following statement about the bill introduction:

“Montanans are united in our love for public lands. They are core to our quality of life, and we proudly share them with the nation as a whole. We applaud Rep. Zinke’s leadership in standing up for Montanans’ continued ability to hunt, fish, hike and otherwise enjoy public lands without worrying about them being sold out from under our feet.”

Michael Casaus, New Mexico state director for The Wilderness Society, made the following statement about the bill introduction:

“New Mexicans treasure public lands and rely on them to support healthy communities, our traditional way of life and our outdoor recreation economy. We thank Rep. Vasquez for confirming that bond and upholding New Mexicans’ access to the beloved places where they hunt, hike and find refuge.”