Washington Senator Maria Cantwell released a statement Sunday supporting the removal of the public lands sale proposal from President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill this weekend.
A previous version of the GOP budget bill included a proposal allowing the federal government to sell 2-3 million acres of public lands.
Multiple lawmakers, conservationists and activists throughout Washington and Idaho opposed the proposal and it’s potential impact on local recreation areas.
“Public lands belong in public hands. This provision is being driven by Senator Lee from Utah. The land sales do not fit Idaho; they do not fit the west,” said John Robison, director of public lans for the Idaho Conservation District.
Republican Utah Senator Mike Lee’s original draft of the proposal was eventually rejected due to its failure to meet Senate rules related to the budgeting process.
Senator Lee withdrew the proposal on Saturday night.
“This was a wrongheaded proposal that had no place in this reconciliation bill,” Washington Senator Maria Cantwell responded. “Many western Senators who know the value of recreational lands objected to its inclusion. I am glad our special places will still be available for everyone.”
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