🔥🗣️ CALL TO ACTION: Sen. Mike Lee’s amendment to the “Big Beautiful Bill” is slated to sell off millions of acres of public lands for potential “affordable housing” in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. (posted 06/18/25, last updated 07/03/25)

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07/03/25 UPDATE: Sen. Mike Lee pulled this amendment. Thanks to those who pressured Congress to exclude this provision. We must remain vigilant. tinyurl.com/mded36u6 and tinyurl.com/5ccam35p

See also “Nowhere To Hyde — Who Should Control Idaho's Lands?” (07/01/25, video 12:24): tinyurl.com/3ae9dydr

Text of Mike Lee’s 06/28/25 statement on X:

Over the past several weeks, I've spent a lot of time listening to members of the community, local leaders, and stakeholders across the country. While there has been a tremendous amount of misinformation-and in some cases, outright lies-about my bill, many people brought forward sincere concerns.

Because of the strict constraints of the budget reconciliation process, I was unable to secure clear, enforceable safeguards to guarantee that these lands would be sold only to American families-not to China, not to BlackRock, and not to any foreign interests.

For that reason, I've made the decision to withdraw the federal land sales provision from the bill.

I continue to believe the federal government owns far too much land-land it is mismanaging and in many cases ruining for the next generation. Under Democratic presidents, massive swaths of the West are being locked away from the people who live there, with no meaningful recourse. That has real consequences for Utahns-from raising taxes for schools and funding local search-and-rescue operations, to being able to build homes and sustain rural communities.

President Trump promised to put underutilized federal land to work for American families, and I look forward to helping him achieve that in a way that respects the legacy of our public lands and reflects the values of the people who use them most.

I'm grateful to everyone who took the time to offer thoughtful feedback. Your voices helped strengthen this bill, and they will continue to shape the path forward.

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Original Post

Some of the worst American laws have been slipped in as amendments or last minute additions to bloated thousands-of-pages omnibus bills like HR1, the “One Beautiful Bill” currently under consideration.

Our public lands should not be put up for sale to accommodate the affordable housing industrial complex which benefits developers and their cronies. (Reference: cascadepolicy.org/land-…)

Sen. Lee states (x.com/SenMikeLee/status…):

“The legislation specifically exempts National Parks, National Monuments, Wilderness Areas, National Recreation Areas, and eleven other categories of federally protected land from sales to build much-needed housing for American families.”

Not good enough, Senator Lee! Have you considered the lost legacy of wild lands for generations to hike, hunt, fish, graze, and mine? Have you considered water infrastructure? Wildfire dangers? Ecological effects of turning our beautiful public lands into “affordable” housing that costs significantly more to build than traditional housing and mainly benefits developers and middle men?

Why do this? It’s wrong.

Update 06/21/25: On 06/20/21, Idaho Senator James Risch publicly stated his opposition to this amendment, perhaps due to public pressure? Keep up the pressure on all legislators! ​tinyurl.com/39fbu5rn

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🔥🗣️ CALL TO ACTION. Call the legislators for sure, and write if you wish (though calls may be more effective)

1. Insist Sen. Mike Lee pull this amendment.

1. Ask your Congressional delegation to oppose it.

even if it derails or delays “One Big Beautiful Bill” — which is far too big and may not be beautiful if legislators actually took the time to read it.

CONTACT

• Sen Mike Lee (R-UT): (202) 224-5444 | lee.senate.gov/contact

IDAHO

• Sen Mike Crapo: (202) 224-6142 | crapo.senate.gov/contac…

• ** Sen James Risch: (202) 224-2752 | risch.senate.gov/public…

• Rep Russ Fulcher: (202) 225-6611 | fulcher.house.gov/email…

• Rep Mike Simpson: (202) 225-5531 | simpson.house.gov/forms…

  NOTE: Rep Simpson is vice chair of the Public Lands Caucus, so please contact him even if you’re not from Idaho.

** Sen. Risch formally opposes (tinyurl.com/39fbu5rn)

OTHER STATES — Find Your Member

• congress.gov/members/fi…

Grok ai summaries (edited, images from articles) of two source articles from Brian Almon and Idaho Senator Brian Lenney follow.

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Should We Sell Our Public Lands? By Brian Almon (06/17/25): gemstatechronicle.com/2…

Overview

Utah Sen. Mike Lee’s amendment to H.R. 1 would allow sale of up to 0.75% of federal lands managed by National Forest Service (NFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in eleven western states, potentially for housing.

We must balance land use, preservation, and state sovereignty.

Key Points

• Sen. Mike Lee’s Amendment:

  • Proposes selling up to 0.75% of NFS and BLM lands in 11 western states.

  • Prioritizes land for housing but includes loopholes for selling “isolated” or “inefficient” parcels.

  • Exempts National Parks, Monuments, and other protected areas.

  • It doesn’t exempt campgrounds and other federal lands residents love.

• Wilderness Society Analysis:

  • Estimates millions of acres could be sold.

  • Provides an interactive map showing affected areas, including Idaho. tinyurl.com/ms5un35u

  • Notes Montana’s exclusion, possibly to gain support from its senators.

• Opposition Arguments:

  • Loss of Public Access: Fears of privatization by developers or corporations like BlackRock and Simplot, limiting hunting, fishing, and hiking.

  • National Security Risks: Concerns about foreign adversaries buying strategic lands.

  • Poor Justification: Critics argue “affordable housing” is a weak pretext, masking corporate interests.

  • Lack of Transparency: Amendment inserted into a large bill without public input.

• Support for State Control:

  • Some, like Rep. Heather Scott, argue states manage lands better than the federal government.

  • Idaho manages 2.4 million acres of endowment lands without selling to developers.

  • Historical context: Sagebrush Rebellion in the 1970s–80s pushed for state control for grazing and mining.

• Concerns About Federal Management:

  • Biden administration’s policies, like natural asset companies and Lava Ridge wind farm, seen as restricting public land use.

  • Federal ownership of over 60% of Idaho’s land criticized as excessive.

• Political Reactions:

  • Idaho figures like Theo Wold, Brian Lenney, and Mike Simpson oppose the sell-off.

  • Public Land Caucus in Congress, with bipartisan support, resists land sales.

  • Social media voices (e.g., Lomez, Mike Cernovich) call public lands a national birthright.

🔥🗣️ Proposed Actions

• Contact Sen. Mike Lee to withdraw the amendment.

• Reach out to Idaho’s congressional delegation, especially Rep. Mike Simpson.

• Engage in discussions with elected officials for transparent, balanced land management solutions.

Broader Questions Raised

• Should public lands be protected or partially sold for development?

• Can states be trusted to manage lands without selling to private entities?

• Is federal ownership of over half of Idaho’s land justified, or should it be reduced?

• How to balance preservation, multiple uses (e.g., grazing, recreation), and housing needs?

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Idaho Lands for Sale? This is why we can't have nice things. By Brian Lenney - Nampa's Senator (06/17/25): brianlenney.substack.co…

Overview

A Senate reconciliation bill led by Senator Mike Lee proposes selling nearly two million acres of Idaho's public lands, roughly one-fifth of the state’s total public land.

Although presented as a housing solution, it’s likely a scheme to transfer these lands to wealthy entities like BlackRock or Simplot, who may restrict public access for private gain.

Idaho already manages its endowment lands responsibly without selling to developers, refuting claims that state control leads to privatization. This amendment allows the federal government to push a fast-tracked, opaque process to favor billionaires, threatening Idaho’s outdoor economy and cultural identity.

Lenney urges Senators Risch and Crapo to oppose the bill to preserve public access.

Key Points

• Proposed Land Sale: Senate bill plans to liquidate ~2 million acres of Idaho public lands.

• Criticism of Intent:

  • Not a housing fix; seen as a "heist" for corporate/private gain.

  • Beneficiaries: Entities like BlackRock or Simplot.

  • Likely outcomes: Restricted public access, private estates for elites.

• State vs. Federal Management:

  • Idaho manages 2.4 million acres of endowment lands without selling to developers.

  • Rejects claim that state control leads to privatization.

• Process Concerns:

  • Fast-tracked: 30-day nominations, 60-day sales, no public input.

  • Labeled a "rigged game" favoring billionaires.

• Impact on Idaho:

  • Threatens outdoor economy (hunting, fishing).

  • Risks cultural identity with “Private Property” signs.

• Call to Action:

  • Urges Senators Risch and Crapo to oppose the bill.

  • Emphasizes preserving Idaho’s lands for public use.

Related:

• OPINION: The Public Land Sale No One Asked For, and Why the GOP Should Drop It Immediately. By Jonathan Keeperman (06/24/25): tinyurl.com/34m37xnb | Substack Note Summary: tinyurl.com/2kc7j2r7🆕