Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Democrats are moving to block attempts by the Trump administration to sell off public lands to fund tax cuts for billionaires.
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) plan to offer an amendment (cosponsored by Sens. Kelly, Padilla, Bennet, Rosen, Cortez Masto, Luján, Wyden, Merkley, Murray) to the nascent reconciliation package that would bar attempts by the Trump administration to sell public lands to private interests. It comes after news reports earlier this week indicated Trump officials and Congressional Republicans were considering selling off large areas of public lands in order to fund tax cuts for billionaires through the complex budget reconciliation process.
This week’s news is the latest indication that the Trump administration is seriously pursuing transferring significant amounts of public lands across the country to corporate and private hands. In March, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum suggested public lands were assets on the country’s “balance sheet” and could be used to pay off the national debt. Earlier this month, Burgum and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner announced the formation of a joint task force to explore handing over public lands to private developers for home construction.
In response, Athan Manuel, Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program director, released the following statement:
“Public lands are beloved by Americans regardless of geography and political party. These landscapes make our country great, and the vast majority of people want to preserve them for the next generation. Under no circumstances should Congress allow them to be sold off to private developers and corporate polluters to fund tax cuts for billionaires. Doing so would irreversibly erase the natural heritage of this country that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is crucial that this amendment be adopted and that this corporate giveaway be stopped in its tracks. We hope members of Congress on both sides of the aisle will stand up to say that our public lands are not for sale.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.