Rep. Gabe Vasquez Introduces the Bipartisan Public Lands Integrity Act to Prevent Backdoor Public Land Sell Offs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On June 5, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) introduced the bipartisan Public Lands Integrity Act, alongside Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Joe Neguse (D-CO), and Dina Titus (D-NV). The legislation would ensure that America's public lands cannot be sold off to the highest bidder through the budget reconciliation process, which allows certain measures to pass the Senate by a simple majority vote.

The Public Lands Integrity Act would amend a section of the Congressional Budget Act - commonly known as the Byrd Rule - to clarify that any provision resulting in the sale, transfer, or disposal of federal public lands is considered extraneous and outside the scope of budget reconciliation. As a result, future proposals to sell public lands could not be rushed through Congress using expedited reconciliation procedures and would require 60 votes in the Senate.

This bill builds on the success of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus, which Rep. Vasquez co-founded last May and of which all four sponsors are members. Last summer, bipartisan Public Lands Caucus members helped successfully defeat attempts to sell off millions of acres of public land under the Republican tax law. This bill would ensure that this couldn't happen again.

"Public lands are America's best idea, and they belong to all of us and must remain in the public trust," said Rep. Vasquez. "Treating public lands as another item on a balance sheet goes against the will of the people, and Americans have made it clear that our public lands are not for sale. That's why I'm proud to introduce this bipartisan, bicameral bill to ensure these lands are held in trust for future generations and won't be used in the reconciliation process in last-minute, backdoor deals to sell them off."

"Our public lands should never be subject to backroom deals or rushed budget negotiations. Selling or disposing of them through reconciliation is the wrong approach," said Rep. Ciscomani. "That's why I'm proud to co-lead the bipartisan Public Lands Integrity Act. Southern Arizona is home to some of the nation's most beautiful and treasured public lands, including Saguaro National Park, Mount Lemmon, and Sabino Canyon. The Public Lands Integrity Act ensures decisions about our public lands are made openly, through regular order, and with full public input. This legislation protects these treasured spaces and helps ensure future generations can experience and enjoy the same natural beauty that makes Arizona and our country so special."

"Our nation's public lands belong to the people and are held in trust for future generations. They don't belong to political appointees or special interests, and I'm proud to partner with my colleagues to ensure that remains true," said Rep. Neguse. "Last summer we fought off efforts to sell-off millions of acres across the Rocky Mountain West-and we must continue to fight to ensure the reconciliation process cannot be used as a vehicle to force the sale of these treasured spaces. Republican or Democrat-representing red, purple, or blue districts-one sentiment continues to ring true: our public lands are not for sale."

"Our precious public lands should never be used as revenue raisers for partisan issues," said Rep. Titus. "Last year, I spearheaded the effort to stop the proposed sale of 65,000 acres of land in Southern Nevada without our consent. Now I am joining Representatives Vasquez, Ciscomani, Neguse, and Zinke to introduce legislation that would prevent similar proposals from advancing in the future."

"Public Lands belong to the public, period. There is a public, transparent process for disposal of land when it is in the public's best interest and I have long opposed any attempts to circumvent that process," said Rep. Zinke. "Any proposal involving the future of America's public lands deserves full public debate, conducted in the light of day and with the highest level of scrutiny. This bill helps ensure that the public will always have a seat at the table when it comes to protecting our public lands."

The Public Lands Integrity Act would not affect legitimate land exchanges, local conveyances, permitting reforms, grazing, timber management, energy development, or other public land management decisions. Instead, it ensures that any proposal to permanently sell or transfer federal public lands receives full congressional consideration and public scrutiny. The Public Lands Integrity Act keeps public lands in public hands and protects the communities, businesses, ranchers, hunters, anglers, Tribes, and families who depend on them.

This bill was introduced by Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) in the Senate. The Public Lands Integrity Act is endorsed by American Rivers, American Whitewater, Alaska Wilderness League, America Outdoors Association, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, The Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, Conservation Lands Foundation, The Conservation Alliance, Grand Canyon Trust, League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, New Mexico Wild, The Nature Conservancy, Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project, Outdoor Alliance, Outdoor Industry Association, Protect Our Winters, Sierra Club, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Trout Unlimited, Trust for Public Lands, Vet Voice Foundation, and The Wilderness Society.

See the quotes from endorsing organizations below.

"We at New Mexico Wild are grateful to Representatives Vasquez, Ciscomani, Neguse, and Titus for their leadership in the House to ensure that anti-public lands members of Congress can no longer attempt to use the budget reconciliation process to force the fly-by-night sale, disposal, or transfer of our - the American people's - public lands out of public ownership," Bjorn Fredrickson, Conservation Director at New Mexico Wild. "Our shared public lands are too important and too beloved by citizens of all political stripes to be sold off, and I suspect that any politician seeking to do so will think twice if they must be transparent, for fear of the wrath of their voters at the ballot box."

"American Rivers welcomes the introduction of the Public Lands Integrity Act. Public lands are the backbone of our nation's freshwater resources, providing clean drinking water, fish habitat, and recreation access to millions of Americans. Protecting these landscapes from disposal during the reconciliation process ensures these resources are sustainably managed for now and for future generations," said American Rivers.

"Public lands aren't a line item on a balance sheet. They're where we hunt, fish, camp, and make memories," said Ryan "Cal" Callaghan, President & CEO at Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. "Thank you to Representatives Vasquez and Ciscomani for championing this bill and helping ensure any proposal to sell public lands is debated in the open, where the American people can have their say, rather than being pushed through the reconciliation process."

"The Conservation Alliance represents businesses reliant on protected public lands. We support a transparent process for public land management that takes public input into account by providing opportunities for feedback from our business members, individuals, and communities," said Rebecca Gillis, Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy. "We applaud Representatives Vasquez and Ciscomani's bill that would ensure that decisions about the sale or transfer of public lands receive the full legislative consideration they warrant."

"We applaud Reps. Vasquez, Ciscomani, Titus and Neguse for introducing the Public Lands Integrity Act because public lands should never be sold off by Congress as a means to offset other spending priorities," said David Feinman, Vice President of Government Affairs for Conservation Lands Foundation. "This legislation would ensure that Congress cannot use an arcane loophole to circumvent the normal legislative process to dispose of public lands. We urge its swift passage."

"In the West public lands power our outdoor economies, provide critical water and resources for agriculture, and give our residents unmatched opportunities to recreate and enjoy the peace and solitude that comes along with time spent in nature," said Anna Peterson, Executive Director of The Mountain Pact. "But threats to sell off our public lands are putting our shared outdoor heritage in danger of being exploited for short-term gain. That's why over 70 communities across the West have stood up and taken official action to condemn these reckless and irresponsible attacks, and to push back against those who want to auction off these irreplaceable and sacred landscapes to the highest bidder. We thank Representative Ciscomani and Vasquez for working to make sure our public lands remain right where they belong: in public hands."

"America's public lands provide enduring benefits for people and nature, supporting healthy communities, outdoor economies, and wildlife habitat," said Tom Cors, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs at The Nature Conservancy. "This proposal helps ensure these lands - held in trust for all Americans - aren't sold off through rushed budget maneuvers."

"Our country's public lands and waters belong to all Americans. The outdoor recreation community relies on public lands for paddling, climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and more. These activities make people's lives richer and foster a connection to the natural world," said Louis Geltman, Vice President for Policy and Government Relations at Outdoor Alliance. "Selling or transferring public lands must happen extremely judiciously, and never as a revenue raiser for a partisan budget reconciliation effort. We commend the effort of Representatives Vasquez and Ciscomani to ensure our public lands are treated with due care."

"The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) stands strong in support of the Public Lands Integrity Act, a critical protection for the 5.2 million Americans whose livelihoods depend on the outdoor recreation economy. The outdoor industry is a powerful growth engine, contributing $1.3 trillion in annual economic output-more than farming, mining, and utilities combined. The backbone of this economy is our federal public lands; in fact, one out of every five outdoor industry jobs directly depend on access to these shared spaces," said Kent Ebersole, CEO, Outdoor Industry Association. "By applying the Byrd Rule to prevent the disposal of public lands through expedited budget processes, this bill ensures that the infrastructure supporting millions of quality jobs across the country cannot be dismantled without a transparent, public debate. We urge the Senate to pass this measure to provide the certainty our businesses and workers need to continue building a stronger outdoor economy that drives the American economy forward."

"Protect Our Winters applauds the bipartisan effort to pass the Public Lands Integrity Act, and efforts to keep public land sell-offs out of the budget reconciliation process," said Ben Gubits, VP Advocacy & Campaigns at Protect Our Winters. "Congress must never use fast-tracked Senate procedure to sell Americans' public lands for short term profit, especially when those lands could be opened to fossil fuel extraction that threatens clean air, clean water, growing outdoor recreation economies, and a healthy planet. America's public lands belong to the people, not special interests, and they must be protected for future generations."

"America's public lands belong to the public - not to political dealmaking. The Public Lands Integrity Act helps ensure that cherished public lands can't be quietly sold off through budget maneuvers that sidestep public debate and accountability," said Athan Manuel, director of the Sierra Club's Lands Protection Program. "At a time when these places face growing pressure, Congress should be strengthening protections for our shared lands, not creating backdoor pathways to dispose of them. Sierra Club is proud to support Representative Vasquez's leadership on this important legislation."

"America's public lands are a cornerstone of our hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation traditions," said Joel Webster, chief conservation officer at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. "The bipartisan Public Lands Integrity Act supports the principle that decisions affecting America's public lands should be made transparently, with input from hunters, anglers, local communities, tribes, and other stakeholders."

"America's public lands are the backyard of the little guy, where families hike, float, camp, hunt, and fish for wild trout. Time and time again, Americans from all walks of life have stood up to oppose the sale of our public lands," said Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. "Trout Unlimited thanks the bipartisan coalition led by Representatives Gabe Vasquez and Juan Ciscomani for introducing the Public Lands Integrity Act and working together to safeguard public access, protect sensitive fish and wildlife habitat, and uphold the public trust for future generations."

"America's public lands are among our nation's greatest conservation successes, providing habitat for wildlife, protecting treasured landscapes, and ensuring access to the outdoors for millions of people. From hunting and fishing opportunities cherished by sportsmen and women to hiking, camping, and other outdoor recreation, these lands support traditions, communities, and local economies across the country," said Myke Bybee, Senior Director of Government Relations for Trust for Public Land. "The Public Lands Integrity Act helps ensure that decisions about the future of our public lands are made through a transparent public process-not rushed through as part of a budget package. We applaud Representatives Vasquez and Ciscomani for their leadership on this legislation and helping safeguard the public lands that belong to all Americans."

"America's public lands represent the best of our country. For veterans and military families, they offer a place to connect, heal, and recreate. Any attempt to sell off this shared public resource must allow for robust debate and input, not be pushed through in the dead of night," said Janessa Goldbeck, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Vet Voice Foundation. "We thank Representatives Vasquez, Ciscomani, Neguse, and Titus for leading efforts to close this loophole and block fast-tracked efforts to give up lands, waters, and forests that should remain protected for future generations."

"Americans love public lands and the freedom they provide to explore-and at a time when we may disagree about a lot of other things, the overwhelming majority of us are on the same page about this," said Jordan Schreiber, Government Relations Director at The Wilderness Society. "The sale of public land has no place in the budget reconciliation process. We applaud Rep. Vasquez's leadership on behalf of current and future generations, and folks on both sides of the aisle, in drawing that line in the sand."

"Public lands are a shared natural heritage and one of America's greatest assets," said Shaleas Harrison, Western Policy Manager for the Western Landowners Alliance. "They are essential to meeting current and future natural resource needs. The federal reconciliation process is not the place for large tracts of public land sales or transfers. Limited sales and equitable voluntary exchanges in the public interest should be considered on a case by case basis."

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