{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-stops-biden-administrations-land-grab", "Newhouse Stops the Biden Administration\u2019s Land Grab", "2023-07-19", "2023", "2023-07", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dan Newhouse", "N000189", "newhouse.house.gov", "newhouse", "https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse\u2019s (R-WA) amendment to prohibit funds from being used to finalize the Bureau of Land Management\u2019s (BLM) proposed \u201cLandscape and Conservation Health\u201d rule was adopted in the Interior and Environment Appropriations. The BLM\u2019s rule undermines FLPMA\u2019s multiple-use mandate for BLM lands and would hinder access to public lands for energy and critical mineral development, grazing, forest management, and recreation. With more than 90% of BLM\u2019s 245 million acres located in the West, the rule would have an outsized effect on the residents of Central Washington. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.\n\nRep. Newhouse\u2019s remarks as prepared below:\n\n\u201cI rise today to offer an amendment prohibiting funds from being used to finalize the Bureau of Land Management\u2019s proposed \u2018Landscape and Conservation Health\u2019 rule, the latest example of this Administration\u2019s regulatory overreach.\n\n\u201cEarlier this year, the BLM proposed a rule to elevate conservation under the multiple-use mandate. The multiple-use mandate, as established by Congress, allows federal lands to be used for resource development, grazing, timber harvesting, and recreation.\n\n\u201cNot only is this proposed rule illegal, it would also have drastic effects on energy prices, food costs, and recreational opportunities.\n\n\u201cAs Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, I believe in the multiple-use mandate to produce sustainable yield\u2014not lock up our lands from accessing the bountiful resources and beautiful views our public lands offer.\n\n\u201cIn the midst of record-high energy prices and food costs, this Administration wants to exacerbate the problem by proposing a regulation that would reduce resource development\u2014including renewable energy\u2014and ranching on public lands.\n\n\u201cThe BLM is confusing conservation for preservation by sidestepping Congress. They do not have the authority for this proposed rule and I urge all of my colleagues to support my amendment. I yield back.\u201d\n\nRead the full text of the amendment here.\n\nBackground:\n\nIn April, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposed a rule titled \u201cLandscape and Conversation Health\u201d which elevates conservation under the multiple-use mandate to be equal to resource development, grazing, timber harvesting, and recreation on public lands. This is contrary to Congressional intent under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 which statutorily set multiple-use sustainable yield on BLM land. The public comment period closed on July 5 after a 15-day extension. The finalization of this rule would allow conservation easements to reduce resource development, grazing, timber harvesting, and recreation on public lands in a backdoor way to implement the Biden Administration\u2019s 30x30 initiative.\n\nSupporting Organizations:\n\nPublic Lands Council, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Mining Association, National Cattlemen\u2019s Beef Association, Western Energy Alliance, Independent Petroleum Association of America, U.S. Chamber of Commerce", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-stops-biden-administrations-land-grab"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.288559917360544, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}