As your constituent, I urge you to support the recently introduced Public Lands Integrity Act, sponsored by Senators Bennet, Heinrich, Merkley, and Wyden. This bill closes a dangerous loophole that would let Congress sell off federal public lands through budget reconciliation — bypassing the deliberative process that has protected these lands for generations.
About a year ago, some members of Congress tried to do exactly that: liquidate public lands to fund budget priorities. Millions of hunters, anglers, ranchers, and hikers pushed back hard enough to kill the proposal. But the threat hasn't gone away, and without this legislation, it will come back. Federal public lands belong to all of us — they support wildlife, recreation, and rural economies that can't be replaced once they're gone. This bill makes sure no future Congress can quietly sell them off in a spending package.
Public lands are not just scenic places on a map. They protect wildlife habitat, help preserve clean water and clean air, and support recreation, conservation, and the outdoor economy that many communities rely on. This legislation is an important safeguard for federal public lands, ensuring that decisions about selling, transferring, or disposing of these lands cannot be slipped through a budget process that was never meant for that purpose.
Land management decisions should be made transparently, with public input and full debate, not through procedural shortcuts. The Public Lands Integrity Act would help ensure that any proposal affecting public lands receives the serious consideration it deserves.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
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