Bennet, Merkley, Wyden, Heinrich Introduce Legislation to Block Sale of Federal Public Lands

Apr 30, 2026 | Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology, led Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Budget, Ron Wyden (D-Ore), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to introduce the Public Lands Integrity Act. This bill would ensure that America's public lands cannot be sold as part of a fast-tracked process in a budget reconciliation bill, which allows for passage in the Senate by a simple majority vote.

During consideration of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Republicans' budget reconciliation bill that passed in July 2025, the Senate nearly approved a provision to sell one to three million acres of federal public lands to generate revenue to pay for other Republican priorities. Bennet worked to build strong bipartisan opposition alongside lawmakers, states, counties, and sportsmen's groups across the West. The Senate ultimately abandoned the provision. Today, under current rules, any senator could propose expedited public land sales in a future budget reconciliation bill and the Public Lands Integrity Act would eliminate that option.

"Public lands make Colorado, Colorado," said Bennet. "They're the foundation of our economy, and they represent treasured parts of our communities, our geography and our history. Congress must never use fast-tracked Senate procedure to sell Americans' public lands to fund short-term partisan spending. Not now, not ever."

"Oregonians and folks across America are united with a clear message-our public lands are not for sale," said Merkley. "These beloved natural treasures belong to all of us, contributing to the spirit and economies of communities all over the United States. As Republicans attempt to rip away public lands from public use, I will fight like hell to protect and preserve our public lands for generations to come."

"Republicans have proved they will stop at nothing to sell off our country's public lands to the highest bidder," said Wyden. "This bill would help keep public lands in public hands by closing arcane loopholes that allow Republicans to carry out their fantasies of selling our beloved forests and lands off to billionaires.

"Public lands belong in public hands. The Public Lands Integrity Act will protect access to our public lands by preventing Senate Republicans from selling them off to bankroll massive, unchecked spending on ICE and Border Patrol - or to finance future tax giveaways for their billionaire donors," said Heinrich.

America's public lands are owned by the public and managed to provide public benefits in perpetuity. This legislation would prevent the sale of federal public lands through expedited Senate procedures under the budget reconciliation process by amending the Congressional Budget Act's (CBA) "Byrd Rule."

The reconciliation process - established under the CBA - allows legislation affecting revenue and spending to pass the Senate with a simple majority vote. To prevent the inclusion of unrelated policy, Congress amended the CBA to include the "Byrd Rule," which makes "extraneous" provisions subject to a point of order and a 3/5th majority vote. Bennet's proposal would define provisions resulting in the sale, transfer, or disposal of federal public lands as extraneous, making it significantly harder to permanently dispose of public lands that provide long-term benefits to the American people.

Bennet has long been a fierce champion for Colorado's public lands. In June 2025, Bennet slammed Senate Republicans' proposal to sell up to 3 million acres of public land as out of touch with Colorado and the American West. He also released a joint statement with U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) on this proposal.

Specifically, the Public Lands Integrity Act would:

• Designate any reconciliation provision resulting in the sale or disposal of federal public lands as "extraneous" under the "Byrd Rule";
• Allow any Senator to strip a provision proposing the sale of federal public lands from a reconciliation bill by raising a "Byrd Rule" point of order; and
• Ensure that decisions about the future of federal public lands are debated through regular legislative order, rather than rushed through expedited budget procedures.

"Public lands throughout the United States should never be sold simply to reconcile the federal budget," said Chairman Melvin J. Baker of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. "Nor should they be sold in violation of the federal government's Treaty obligations to Tribes."

"In Colorado's rural and mountain communities, our public lands are part of everyday life-they support our economy, our outdoor way of life, and bring people together across the political spectrum," said State Senator Dylan Roberts. "I'm grateful to Senator Michael Bennet for his leadership and passion for protecting what makes Colorado so special and strongly support this legislation. His effort ensures these lands cannot be sold off through rushed budget deals, and that decisions about our public lands are made thoughtfully, transparently, and in the open."

"Across the Western Slope, our tourism economy, agricultural heritage, and Colorado way of life are rooted in our public lands. I'm proud to stand with Senator Bennet in protecting these landscapes for the communities who depend on them today and for future generations," said Colorado State Representative Meghan Lukens.

"Public lands are integral to the fabric of La Plata County - and the economic and social health of our communities," said Marsha Porter-Norton, La Plata Commissioner. "The broad sell-off of public lands goes directly against our fundamental values. I applaud Senator Bennet's efforts to protect our most valuable resource through this legislation."

"Last year, we saw a dangerous attempt to sell-off our public lands," said Scott Fetchenhier, San Juan Commissioner. "In San Juan County, where 87% of the land is public land, keeping this invaluable resource in our hands is integral to our economy and our way of life."

"In San Miguel County and across the Western Slope, public lands are an intrinsic component of our communities and local economies," said Lance Waring, San Miguel Commissioner. "We are proud to be stewards of the magnificent mountains, rivers, and canyons that shape our way of life. I'm grateful for Senator Bennet for leading the effort to protect our landscapes for generations to come."

"Coloradans across the state continue to value and defend our public lands, recognizing that these places are central to our economy, our communities, and our shared heritage," said Sonja Macys, Routt County Commissioner. "Last year, residents in Routt County and throughout Colorado rejected attempts to sell off these lands, reaffirming their commitment to keeping them in public hands. I applaud Senator Bennet's ongoing efforts to safeguard these national treasures, and we stand with him in ensuring they remain protected for future generations."

"In Chaffee County our public lands are at the core of who we are, 83% of our county is owned by the American people," said PT Wood, Chaffee County Commissioner. "We are proud stewards of these lands working closely with the USFS, BLM, State Land Board, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and private landowners to ensure connected landscapes, wildfire mitigation, wildlife corridors and public access to OUR lands. The very thought of selling these iconic landscapes is the antithesis of the stewardship that is the American ideal. Without vast unspoiled public lands the west and the very soul of our great nation is lost."

"We sit at the headwaters of the Colorado River. Our public lands, which represent 85% of our county, nourish critical wildlife habitat for fish, bird, elk, and bear populations, serve as the backbone of a thriving recreational economy, and inspire the love and awe we have for this place we call home," said Jeffrey Woodruff, Pitkin County Commissioner. "We are stewards of this land. Our residents, international visitors, and the over 40 million Americans who depend upon the Colorado River, all trust that public land will be a vital resource, not just today, but for all of the generations to come."

"Over 80% of Summit County is federal public lands that serve as the foundation of our community's economic viability," said Eric Mamula, Summit County Commissioner. "Millions of Americans from all walks of life come to Summit County to recreate - hike, bike, hunt, fish, ski and snowboard - in our collective backyard. Choosing to sell land that belongs to the American people should be a thoughtful component of the democratic process and not a knee-jerk reaction to a budget deficit. I support this legislation and thank Senator Bennet for his tenacity in protecting the public lands that support Colorado's mountain communities."

"Efforts to initiate large-scale sales of our nation's public lands have come dangerously close to success," said the Eagle County Commission. "I am grateful to Senator Bennet for his continued leadership on this issue and for putting forward this extremely important effort to block these wildly unpopular attacks on our public lands."

"The attempt, via reconciliation, to sell Federal and BLM lands to offset BBB tax cuts for the rich was a disgrace and an insult to this Country's history of protecting open spaces and historic natural lands and water areas," said Dave Armstrong, Chaffee County Commissioner. "You correct a mistake by making another one. We are stewards of this great country and must protect these areas for generational use and enjoyment by the public."

"Public lands are a major part of the economy and provide positive benefits by preserving these lands for future generations," said Tim Redmond, Routt County Commissioner. "The public lands in Colorado are the headwaters of 4 major rivers that provide water to 18 states. The Nation's public lands are a resource that benefits all Americans in so many ways and are a jewel that cannot be replaced. We urge Congress to protect and preserve our public lands!"

"Senator Bennet's bill is a phenomenal example of follow through from the Congressional level. It shows the American people that they were heard last summer, that public lands are valued treasures, and that under no circumstances should they be disposed of in any amount without going through the proper public process. BHA thanks Senators Bennett, Wyden, Merkley and Heinrich for their leadership," said Ryan "Cal" Callaghan, President & CEO, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.

"America's public lands are a cornerstone of our outdoor heritage, supporting world-class fisheries, wildlife habitat, and access for hunters and anglers across the nation. Prohibiting the sale of public lands through the budget reconciliation process would help ensure a transparent process with public input, rather than allowing the sale of treasured resources as line-items in an expedited budget process. Trout Unlimited supports the Public Lands Integrity Act as an important step to safeguard public access, protect critical habitat, and uphold the public trust for future generations," said Lindsay Slater, Trout Unlimited, Vice President of Government Affairs.

"America's public lands provide enduring benefits for people and nature, supporting healthy communities, outdoor economies, and wildlife habitat. Senator Bennet's proposal helps ensure these lands - held in trust for all Americans - aren't sold off through rushed budget maneuvers," said Tom Cors, Senior Director Legislative Affairs, The Nature Conservancy

"Outfitting and guiding is an $890 million-a-year economic driver for rural Idaho communities. We are just a part of Idaho's larger $4.5 billion outdoor recreation economy. This sustainable economic foundation for rural communities relies on public lands; protecting those lands in any way we can is a move in the right direction. We support amending the Byrd Rule to ensure that any disposal of public lands owned by every American must go through the normal order and require bipartisan support," said Erik Weiseth, Executive Director, Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association

"Veterans and military families understand what it means to serve something bigger than ourselves. America's public lands are part of that shared inheritance. They are where we train, where we heal, and where we reconnect with the country we swore to defend. Selling them off to cover short-term budget gaps breaks faith with that responsibility. This proposal helps ensure those decisions are made with the seriousness they deserve, through full debate, not rushed through during a budget process, out of the public's eye. We applaud Senators Bennet, Wyden, Merkley and Heinrich for leading this effort," said Janessa Goldbeck, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Vet Voice Foundation.

"Outfitters are among the most consistent stewards of public lands in this country. They maintain trails, manage waste, educate visitors, and reinvest in the landscapes they operate on - year after year, season after season. Their businesses, and the communities that depend on them, are built on the promise that these lands will remain in public hands. Budget reconciliation was never intended to be the vehicle for deciding the future of America's public land heritage, and it shouldn't become one. America Outdoors believes that any conversation about the sale or transfer of federal lands requires standalone legislation, open debate, and broad consensus; not a simple-majority shortcut," said Aaron Lieberman, Executive Director, America Outdoors Association.

"Our country's public lands and waters belong to all Americans. The outdoor recreation community relies on public lands for paddling, climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and more. These activities make people's lives richer and foster a connection to the natural world. Selling or transferring public lands must happen extremely judiciously, and never as a revenue raiser for a partisan budget reconciliation effort. We commend the effort of Senators Bennet, Wyden, Merkley, and Heinrich to ensure our public lands are treated with due care," said Louis Geltman, Vice President for Policy and Government Relations, Outdoor Alliance.

"The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) stands in strong support of the Public Lands Integrity Act, a critical protection for the 5.2 million Americans whose livelihoods depend on the outdoor recreation economy. Our industry is a powerful engine of growth, contributing $1.3 trillion in annual economic output-more than farming, mining, and utilities combined.

"The backbone of this economy is our federal public lands; in fact, one out of every five outdoor industry jobs depend directly on access to these shared spaces. By applying the Byrd Rule to prevent the disposal of public lands through expedited budget processes, this bill ensures that the infrastructure supporting millions of quality jobs across the country cannot be dismantled without a transparent, public debate. We urge the Senate to pass this measure to provide the certainty our businesses and workers need to continue building a stronger outdoor economy that drives the American economy forward," said Kent Ebersole, CEO, Outdoor Industry Association

"More than half of whitewater rivers in the United States flow through public lands. That's not an abstract statistic - that's the Cache La Poudre, the Chattooga, the Rogue, and hundreds of rivers like them. Public lands protect clean water, sustain public access, and ensure communities have a real voice in how these places are managed. This bill from Senators Bennet, Wyden, Merkley and Heinrich makes sure decisions about those lands get the transparency and scrutiny they deserve. American Whitewater is proud to support it," said Clinton Begley, Executive Director, American Whitewater.

"The Conservation Alliance represents businesses reliant on public lands as well as effective and transparent decision making around their management. This proposal from Senators Bennet, Wyden, Merkley and Heinrich to amend the Byrd Rule would ensure that public land sales and disposals cannot be rushed through budget reconciliation efforts, returning these consequential decisions to the regular legislative order or deliberate and legal agency-level processes where they belong. Our members cannot afford to have the future of America's public lands treated as a budget pay-for, and we support this commonsense protection," said Rebecca Gillis, Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy, Conservation Alliance.

In May 2025, Bennet reintroduced the Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act to protect over 68,000 acres of public lands in Southwestern Colorado. He also reintroduced the Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act to permanently protect key portions of the Gunnison Basin and the surrounding regions through a variety of public land management tools, including special designations focused on recreation, wildlife, scientific research, and conservation.

The text of the bill is available HERE. A summary of the bill is available HERE. Letters of support can be found HERE.

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