America’s Public Lands Are Not for Sale — Pass H.R. 718 Now

America’s 640 million acres of public lands are not surplus inventory to be liquidated—they are a national inheritance, held in trust for every American, present and future. From our national parks and forests to wildlife refuges, rivers, deserts, and grasslands, these lands protect clean air and drinking water, preserve critical wildlife habitat, and sustain a $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy that supports millions of jobs across this country. They belong to the American people—not corporations, not private equity firms, and not the highest bidder. Yet these lands are under increasing and coordinated threat. Across the country, we are seeing mounting efforts to sell off, transfer, or quietly privatize public lands under the false premise of “efficiency,” “development,” or short-term fiscal gain. Some proposals attempt to shift federal lands to state control as a precursor to privatization. Others seek to open protected lands to expanded drilling, mining, and logging with minimal oversight. These efforts are not about stewardship—they are about extraction and profit. Once public lands are sold, they are gone forever. Access is lost. Ecosystems are fragmented. Wildlife corridors disappear. Clean water sources are jeopardized. Outdoor traditions that define American life—hunting, fishing, hiking, camping—are pushed out or priced out. Future generations are left with less than what was entrusted to us. This is not hypothetical. We have already seen attempts to dispose of public lands through budget amendments, administrative actions, and backroom negotiations that bypass public scrutiny. Without stronger safeguards, these efforts will continue. That is why Congress must act immediately to pass the Public Lands in Public Hands Act (H.R. 718), led by Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-MT) and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM). This bipartisan legislation would require explicit congressional approval before any public lands can be sold or transferred, ensuring transparency, accountability, and protection against reckless or politically motivated giveaways. This should not be a partisan issue. Public lands are one of the rare areas of overwhelming agreement among Americans. Hunters, anglers, ranchers, tribal nations, outdoor recreation businesses, conservationists, and families across the political spectrum all depend on continued access to these lands. Selling them off will not solve budget challenges. It is a one-time cash grab that trades permanent national assets for temporary revenue—while undermining local economies, increasing wildfire risks through poor land management, threatening biodiversity, and weakening climate resilience. It is fiscally shortsighted and environmentally irresponsible. Congress has a fundamental duty: to safeguard the resources entrusted to it, not to auction them off to the highest bidder. The American people are watching. We expect you to defend what belongs to us—not facilitate its loss. Pass the Public Lands in Public Hands Act. Close the door on privatization schemes. Protect access. Preserve our natural heritage. America’s public lands are not for sale. Protect them. Preserve them. Keep them in public hands.