Amendment to block public land sales for federal deficit reduction fails 48–51; BHA urges continued action by hunters and anglers as budget process continues.
Washington, D.C. – Over the weekend, the U.S. Senate advanced a budget resolution, marking an early step in the process to pass a budget reconciliation bill – legislation that can ultimately become law with a simple majority vote and cannot be filibustered. This follows reports confirming that the Republican majority in Congress is considering proposals to sell public lands as part of the budget reconciliation bill. An amendment to block the sale of public lands to reduce the federal deficit was introduced but failed by a vote of 48-51. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers strongly supported the amendment to the Senate budget resolution introduced by Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).
“We thank Senator Hickenlooper for his leadership in defending our public lands during the budget reconciliation process,” said Don Holmstrom, co-chair for the Colorado Chapter of BHA. “As hunters and anglers, we know these lands are vital to our hunting and angling heritage, outdoor industry, and connection to the outdoors. Selling these lands for short-term budgetary relief would not only jeopardize our access to these spaces but also threaten the integrity of the ecosystems and wildlife that depend on them.”
Holmstrom’s sentiment was echoed by Kyle Klain, fellow BHA member and policy chair for the New Mexico Chapter of BHA, who stated:
“We’re grateful for Senator Heinrich’s steadfast leadership in opposing shortsighted efforts to sell off our public lands. As a lifelong hunter and angler, he understands better than most that these places are more than just acreage on a map—they are the heart of New Mexico and our country as a whole,” Klain added. “From the Gila to the Sangres, our public lands are where we pass on traditions, feed our families, and find solitude. Selling them off in the name of fiscal responsibility is a false economy—once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. We stand with the Senator in saying: our public lands are not for sale.”
Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) were the only Republicans to vote in favor of the amendment, contributing to a bipartisan stand against public land sales. BHA applauds their commitment to the legacy of America’s public lands.
“I’m grateful to Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy for understanding how important our public lands are to all Montanans, and our greater nation,” said Jake Schwaller, board chair for the Montana Chapter of BHA. “I’d like to thank them for genuinely representing their constituency on this particular issue and standing up for these precious resources that belong to all of us. We stand ready to continue this fight to keep our public lands in public hands.”
As the budget reconciliation process advances, BHA urges hunters and anglers to take action and tell their elected officials to oppose the sale and privatization of public lands.
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. To learn more about issues important to BHA’s membership, visit www.backcountryhunters.org/our_issues.
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