U.S. Senator Mike Lee revised his land sale proposal to comply with Senate rules governing the Republican tax and spending package. The Utah Republican who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee aims to ensure his measure qualifies for the budget reconciliation process.
This fast-track method bypasses the 60-vote threshold and requires each provision to significantly affect spending or revenue. Lee posted that the new version would only apply to Bureau of Land Management lands within five miles of populated areas.
He also announced that US Forest Service lands would be excluded entirely, responding to bipartisan backlash over his earlier proposal. This updated plan introduces freedom zones and pledges to protect farmers, ranchers, and recreational land users.
However, Lee offered no detailed explanation of these changes, and the legislative text remained unavailable as of Tuesday. A spokesperson for Lee´s committee did not respond to media inquiries.
Previously, the land sale proposal would have forced the sale of at least 2 million acres of federal land in 11 Western states. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon said that version was struck from the bill after the Senate parliamentarian deemed it incompatible with budget reconciliation rules.
Democrats and several Republicans from affected states, such as Alaska, Colorado, and New Mexico, fiercely opposed the land sale effort. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called it outrageous and accused Republicans of trying to hand over public lands to wealthy interests.
U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke, a Montana Republican and former Interior Secretary, reaffirmed his opposition. The Senate parliamentarian also removed other energy provisions, including waivers for offshore drilling reviews and mining road approvals in Alaska.
