America’s public lands could soon be put on the auction block to pay for President Donald Trump’s agenda. As the Senate moved through an annual budgeting process last week, several Democratic senators introduced an amendment that would block the government from selling public land to fund the federal budget. On Friday, the Senate defeated that amendment in a vote of 48-51.
Republicans have mostly supported Trump’s tax plan, which passed the House and goes to the Senate this weekend. The plan would raise the debt limit by $5 trillion and make tax cuts from Trump’s first term permanent. But, Republicans are also still looking for ways to fund Trump’s tax cuts, including the sale of public lands, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) told Politico.
“The federal government owns a lot of lands — a lot of lands,” Sullivan said. “I think it’s a great idea. We’re looking at different options for revenue raising.”
New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich — who co-sponsored the amendment along with senators from Colorado, Arizona, Oregon, and California — called on Americans to fight back against GOP efforts to sell federal lands.
“Republicans want to sell off YOUR public lands so they can pay for a tax cut for billionaires like Elon Musk,” Heinrich said in a social media post. “If you want to keep public lands in public hands, share this message and call your member of Congress and let’s HALT THE HEIST.”
Outdoor Industry Asks for Help
Some Republicans have said that selling public lands would only be to improve affordable housing in gateway communities. Moreover, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner co-wrote an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal discussing their plans to build affordable housing on federal lands.
But Sen. Heinrich finds their reasoning questionable.
“Republicans are saying that they need to sell off your public lands to solve the housing crisis,” Sen. Heinrich said. “But we already have laws that allow for targeted land transfers for things like housing.”
Regardless of the reasoning for the public land sales, outdoor brands are asking for support to prevent them from happening. Outdoor Alliance created an action form in protest of Congress’ plans. The group, which represents a coalition of outdoor advocacy organizations, is asking anyone who cares about public lands to add their name and address to the petition.
Specifically, the coalition urges everyone to call their local representatives — particularly Republican offices, which reflect the majority of support for public land sales — in opposition to any such measure.
“These lands are where millions of us go to climb, ski, hike, bike, and connect with nature — and they are far too important to be treated like budget line items,” said Adam Cramer, CEO of Outdoor Alliance. The debate comes amid increased protests around the country against Trump’s policies.
Brands Come Together in Opposition
Trying to sell public lands is merely the latest GOP initiative to draw the ire of the outdoor recreation industry.
As Trump and Elon Musk have imposed sweeping layoffs of federal employees in the last several months, public lands and national parks haven’t been spared from the cost-cutting measures. So far, Trump fired thousands of parks workers, instituted spending freezes, and opened up national parks to oil and gas companies.
That has led to widespread protests at national parks, and the creation of groups like Resistance Rangers, which also offers an “action kit” to inform concerned citizens on how to take action.
But now even the biggest names in outdoor recreation are getting vocal. On Wednesday, The Conservation Alliance launched a new coalition called Brands for Public Lands. It includes more than 60 businesses that represent 48,000 employees and more than $17.5 billion in revenue, according to a news release.
Supported by industry heavyweights like Patagonia and Black Diamond, the group has sent letters to Congressional leaders and Secretary Burgum in protest of public land sales.
“Our public lands are more than assets on a balance sheet,” Ryan Gellert, CEO of Patagonia, said. “They are where we connect with nature and they serve as economic drivers for local communities, the $1.2 trillion outdoor industry and the 5 million people who work within it. Patagonia stands with the dozens of like-minded businesses and organizations protecting public lands before they’re lost forever.”
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