1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I’m writing as a concerned constituent in Longview, Texas to urge you to oppose H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” in the Senate. Although its name sounds appealing, this sweeping reconciliation bill contains alarming provisions that threaten our public lands, national parks, and local communities. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, the House version of H.R. 1 initially included measures that would: 1. Mandate the sale of public lands in Utah and Nevada, potentially handing over thousands of acres near Zion National Park—and other areas—to private or local interests, without public input or environmental review . 2. Expand oil and gas leasing and drilling near parks, which would degrade air quality, disrupt wildlife, create light and safety issues, and spoil pristine vistas . 3. Slash critical National Park Service funding, including the elimination of $267 million in Inflation Reduction Act support—funds used for ecosystem restoration, invasive species control, and essential staff to protect parks and visitor safety . Together, these provisions undermine more than a century of American stewardship over our most iconic public lands. Selling off publicly owned acreage not only violates shared values, but also sets a dangerous precedent that could unravel protections nationwide . As NPCA states, “selling lands that belong to all Americans for private profit is the antithesis of American values” . Why this matters to Texas. Even though land sales are centered in the West, our state shares in the benefits of public lands. Millions visit Texas parks, rely on clean water and air that originate in federal landscapes, and depend on wildlife corridors and vibrant ecosystems that begin beyond our borders. What’s at risk: • Outdoor recreation and tourism, vital to local economies, could be badly hurt by unchecked development and degraded park experiences. • Biodiversity and wildlife habitat—areas essential for clean ecosystems and climate resilience—would be fragmented or destroyed without environmental review or tribal consultation . • Public trust and democracy—the bill would enable the largest public land sell‑off in modern history, removing needed transparency and public input . I strongly urge you to oppose any version of H.R. 1 that includes land‑sale mandates, park‑service budget cuts, or expanded drilling near public lands. Please stand with your constituents in preserving our wild places—not selling them.