Senate Parliamentarian Rules Against GOP Land Sale Proposals
Senate Republicans' plans to sell federal lands for tax cuts and housing were ruled out by the parliamentarian for violating Senate rules, sparking environmental concerns.
Overview
- Senate Republicans proposed selling over 3,200 square miles of federal land as part of a tax and spending cut bill.
- The Senate parliamentarian deemed the proposal, led by Senator Mike Lee, a violation of Senate rules.
- Western conservatives are advocating for transferring federal lands to local control, facing similar rule violations.
- Environmental advocates welcomed the ruling but remain cautious about the future of these proposals.
- Housing advocates expressed skepticism about the feasibility of selling federal lands for affordable housing initiatives.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the GOP's land sale proposal as a controversial and ultimately unsuccessful attempt, highlighting the Senate's procedural barriers. They reflect a cautious optimism from environmental advocates while acknowledging the complexities of land suitability for housing, suggesting a nuanced view of the political and environmental implications.
Articles (3)
Center (1)
"…The proposal received a mixed reception Monday from the governors of Western states."
Associated Press·7d·FAQ
The Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, ruled that the proposal to sell federal lands could not be included in the GOP budget reconciliation package because it violated the Byrd Rule, which restricts provisions in reconciliation bills to those with direct and substantial budgetary impacts. She found that selling large tracts of public land did not meet this threshold.
Senator Mike Lee proposed selling between 2 million and 3 million acres of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, hoping the sales would fund housing development and help reduce housing costs. After criticism, he planned to amend the proposal to exclude Forest Service lands and limit sales to parcels near towns.
Environmental advocates welcomed the parliamentarian's ruling because it prevented the sale of public lands that could harm conservation efforts. Housing advocates were skeptical, doubting the feasibility of selling public lands as an effective way to create affordable housing.
The Byrd Rule restricts what can be included in budget reconciliation bills, allowing only provisions with a direct and substantial impact on the federal budget. Since the parliamentarian determined that selling federal lands does not sufficiently affect the budget directly, the provision was ruled out for inclusion in the reconciliation bill.
Senator Mike Lee announced plans to significantly modify his proposal by removing sales on Forest Service lands, reducing the amount of Bureau of Land Management lands for sale, and focusing on parcels near population centers. He is rewriting the proposal to try to meet Senate rules for inclusion in the budget bill.
History
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