1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

The Senate's budget reconciliation bill poses an existential threat to our cherished public lands, callously putting over 250 million acres at risk of being sold off to the highest bidder. This misguided proposal masquerades as a solution for housing needs, but lacks substantive safeguards and research suggests little of this land is actually suitable for development. Instead, it appears to be a thinly-veiled ploy to enrich private interests at the expense of the American people's access to outdoor recreation, wilderness, and public spaces that are part of our shared heritage. We must not trade our national treasures - our local recreation areas, wilderness study areas, roadless areas, critical wildlife habitat, and big game migration corridors - for a fleeting payoff that disproportionately benefits the privileged few. These lands belong to all Americans, not just the wealthy and well-connected commercial interests likely to outbid communities in this ill-conceived fire sale. The bill's expedited process also shuts out public input, undermining principles of transparency and self-governance. Make no mistake, if you support any bill that sells off our public lands, I will vocally support your opponent and vote against you in the next election! I urge you to fiercely oppose any effort to liquidate our public lands through this budget process or otherwise. These irreplaceable natural resources are a vital part of our national identity and must be preserved for current and future generations to cherish. We cannot allow shortsighted political gamesmanship to rob us and our descendants of this invaluable inheritance. Protect our public lands.