In brief
The proposal aims to sell between 2.2 and 3.3 million acres of federal land across Western states, stirring opposition even among lawmakers.
Senate Republicans are reviving a contentious plan to sell vast swaths of federal land as part of a major tax bill supported by President Trump. The draft legislation mandates the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service to identify public lands for sale, potentially raising up to $10 billion while addressing housing shortages. Critics within the GOP, including former interior secretary Ryan Zinke, fear the long-term consequences of selling off public lands, stating that once sold, they can never be recovered. Notably, Zinke's home state of Montana is omitted from the proposed sale locations, highlighting the divisions within the party. Senator Mike Lee argues this initiative could turn federal liabilities into assets, aiming to benefit American families seeking affordable housing.
