ICYMI: Murray Slams Secretary Burgum’s Plans to Fire National Park Staff, Sell Off Public Lands, & Slash Funding for Tribes
Senator Murray is an outspoken opponent of Republicans’ partisan reconciliation bill; has repeatedly spoken out in opposition to the Republican plan to sell off public land in the legislation
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the revised plan released by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) to sell off public lands in Washington state and other Western states as part of Republicans’ partisan reconciliation bill, which they are pushing through Congress with only Republican votes. The updated text from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which Senator Lee chairs, would mandate the sale of up to 0.5 percent of the 245 million acres currently owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Specifically, the provision mandates the sale of BLM land within 5 miles of a “population center,” which is otherwise undefined.
Senator Lee’s first plan to sell off public lands was struck down by the Senate Parliamentarian earlier this week after Democrats challenged it as a violation of Senate rules. The Parliamentarian is expected to rule on the revised plan in the coming days.
“Americans should know that the threat to our public lands is not over, as Senate Republicans are still trying to sell off public land as part of their Big Ugly Reconciliation Bill. Republicans’ revised plan would still put up to 450,000 acres of public land in Washington state on the auction block. Communities in Central and Eastern Washington will be most affected by this heist.
“Now is the time for everyone who enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and other outdoor recreation on BLM land to call their Republican members of Congress and demand that they oppose this giveaway of the precious public lands that belong to all of us.”
“Selling off our public lands to fund tax cuts for billionaires is an unconscionable betrayal of future generations and our cherished outdoor spaces. Public lands belong in public hands.”
Senator Murray is staunch opponent of Republicans’ reconciliation bill—the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—and has held many recent events raising the alarm on the devastating cuts the legislation will make to Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), among other harmful provisions. Senator Murray has also repeatedly spoken out against Republican efforts to sell off public lands as part of the legislation.
###
