Simpson to oppose bill if it includes sell-off

Five Republican congressmen, including Mike Simpson of Idaho and Dan Newhouse of Washington, signaled their intent to oppose President Trump’s budget bill if it includes a provision for public land sales. They criticized Sen. Mike Lee’s proposal as a "grave mistake" in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson. The bill's fate in the Senate remains uncertain as lawmakers await a parliamentarian ruling. Reports indicate that Sen.

Steve Daines has sufficient support to strip the provision from the bill. Public land advocates have mobilized against the proposal, adopting the slogan "Not One Acre" to express their opposition. Todd Adkins of Sportsmen’s Alliance highlighted the diverse coalition of hunters, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts united against the sell-off. The congressmen acknowledged that federal lands have been mismanaged but insisted that selling them is not the answer. They advocate for advancing the legislative agenda on public lands through existing laws instead.