Senator Lee Withdraws Land Sales Provision from Tax Bill
Utah Senator Mike Lee, a Republican, announced the removal of a contentious federal land sales provision from his proposed tax bill following significant public and political pushback. He shared this decision in a tweet on Saturday.
Lee explained that due to stringent regulations surrounding the budget adjustment process, his team couldn’t establish clear and enforceable protections to guarantee that the lands would be sold solely to American families. Consequently, he opted to retract the federal land sales clause.
His initial proposal aimed to direct the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Services to identify and sell 0.5-0.75% of public lands for residential use only. This plan had stirred controversy, particularly among residents of the Western Province, where a large portion of the land is publicly accessible.
Several lawmakers, including Republican senators from Idaho and Montana, voiced their opposition. In fact, Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehee from Montana had even threatened to introduce their own amendments aimed at nullifying Lee’s proposal.
Following Lee’s withdrawal, Daines and Sheehee issued a joint statement expressing their approval. They emphasized that public land should remain in the hands of the public, declaring that blocking such sales was a win for the lifestyle in Montana.
Lee, who is one of the 51 GOP senators supporting the advancement of the tax bill for further discussion, seemed to signal that he wasn’t keen on pursuing public land sales at this time. He also indicated a willingness to collaborate with President Donald Trump on related matters in the future.
Lee expressed concerns about the federal government owning too much land, which he believes is poorly managed. He cited the current Democratic administration’s approach to land use and affirmed Trump’s commitment to making federal land more accessible to American families, aiming for a respectful balance that honors the legacy of public lands.
In the U.S., nearly 40% of land is accessible to the public, with 28% owned by the federal government, mostly located in just 12 states.
