Sierra Club Statement on Arctic Refuge CRA Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, Senate Republicans advanced a resolution that would impede protections for millions of acres of public lands in Alaska, despite bipartisan opposition.

In a 49-45 vote Thursday morning, Senate Republicans utilized the Congressional Review Act to revoke a land management plan for the Arctic Refuge. Republican Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) joined 44 Democrats to oppose the resolution. It now heads to the White House, where Donald Trump is expected to sign it.

The resolution would disapprove a 2024 Record of Decision for the Arctic Refuge oil and gas leasing program. The vote threatens the integrity of millions of acres of national public lands in the Arctic, which covers critical habitat for caribou, migratory birds, and polar bears, among other imperiled species.

This year, Congressional Republicans have used an unprecedented interpretation of the CRA to vote to overturn resource management plans. The Clinton-era law allows revoking administrative rules issued by executive agencies, but it has never been used to overturn a resource management plan. Last month, Senate Republicans also disapproved protections for the Western Arctic via a CRA resolution, which is also awaiting Trump's signature.

In response, Athan Manuel, Director of Sierra Club's Lands Protection Program, released the following statement:

"Senate Republicans want to give Big Oil CEOs an early Christmas present - free rein over our public lands. The Arctic Refuge is one of the last truly wild places in our country. The Gwich'in people rely on it, and wildlife like the Porcupine caribou herd call it home, but Donald Trump and his allies in Congress only see an asset on a ledger. Make no mistake, by taking this vote, Congressional Republicans are putting corporations over the American people, and our public lands will pay the price of padding corporate polluters' bottom lines."

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 https://www.sierraclub.org.