1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to vote against H.R. 655, the Dalles Watershed Development Act, when it comes before the Senate for consideration. This bill, sponsored by Representative Cliff Bentz, directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain Federal land to the City of The Dalles, Oregon. While it passed the House by voice vote on December 9, 2025, I have serious concerns about this transfer of public land. Federal lands belong to all Americans and should remain under public stewardship unless there is an overwhelming justification for transfer. H.R. 655 represents a giveaway of public assets without adequate scrutiny. The voice vote in the House means there is no public record of how individual representatives voted, which raises transparency concerns about a decision involving the permanent transfer of Federal property. The bill was fast-tracked through the House under suspension rules, a process typically reserved for non-controversial legislation. However, the permanent conveyance of Federal land to a municipality deserves thorough debate and recorded votes so constituents can hold their representatives accountable. The lack of detailed public information about what specific parcels are being transferred, their ecological value, and whether adequate compensation is being provided makes it impossible to assess whether this serves the public interest. Federal land transfers set precedents that can encourage similar requests from other municipalities, potentially leading to a piecemeal erosion of our public land holdings. These lands are held in trust for future generations and should not be conveyed without compelling evidence that the transfer serves a broader public purpose beyond local development interests. I respectfully ask that you vote no on H.R. 655 and advocate for greater transparency and public input before any Federal lands are permanently transferred out of public ownership. Our shared natural resources deserve protection and careful stewardship.