Plan to sell public lands withdrawn, New Mexico leaders react
'Lands like these are supposed to belong to every single American,' said Senator Martin Heinrich, (D), New Mexico.
New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich is celebrating what he's calling a big win for public lands. 'Obviously, they took it out of the bill without even having an amendment because it was clear we were gonna win this one,' said Heinrich in a video on social media.
Provision that would sell off public lands removed from Senate megabill
Utah Senator Mike Lee announced Saturday night, he would be dropping plans to sell public land from President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill.' In a post on X, Lee blames strict constraints of the budget process and a lack of clear, enforceable safeguards to guarantee that these lands would be sold only to American families.
The Republican Party of New Mexico thinks this was the right choice: 'I know that the intent of the land sale was to be able to develop urban areas that are pretty much landlocked for economic development and housing opportunities,' said Chairwoman Amy Barela, RPNM.
But RPNM agrees, they don't think there were enough restrictions placed in the bill to protect the public lands. 'I think it'd be a great opportunity for private investors to go in to be able to buy for housing opportunities and all of that because we know New Mexico is short on housing,' said Barela.
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New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich said in a press conference earlier this week that this isn't about housing, it's about making money. 'We will not let them sell our American birthright to build luxury condos or second homes or to pay for tax cuts,' said Heinrich.
Heinrich also said in a statement, 'To those already plotting to go after our public lands another way: don't. Unless you like losing.'
'Public lands along the Pecos are among my favorite in New Mexico and the West. They're a reminder of how lucky we are to have places to fish and explore and pass down experiences to future generations,' said Heinrich.
A land conservation non-profit, called the Wilderness Society, is thanking the lawmakers who fought to kill the plan, saying quote, 'Future generations are counting on members of congress to remain vigilant against any more attempts to sell off our public lands—including the threats that we know are coming from the administration.'
RPNM told News 13, they are looking forward to the tax relief Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' will bring.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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