Senate Withdraws Plans to Sell Millions of Acres of Western Public Lands

A controversial proposal to sell millions of acres of federal public lands, primarily in Western states including Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, and others, was withdrawn from President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" after widespread bipartisan opposition and public outcry. Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah, who championed the provision as a way to promote affordable housing and return land to American families, withdrew it, citing inability to secure safeguards to prevent sales to foreign or corporate interests. The plan faced criticism from environmental advocates, local leaders, and several Republican lawmakers who feared it would lead to environmental harm and sell public lands to the highest bidder rather than local communities. The Senate parliamentarian also ruled earlier versions of the provision as violating budget reconciliation rules. Conservation groups and Democratic senators celebrated the withdrawal as a major victory for preserving public lands and preventing privatization. Despite some Republicans viewing the plan as an opportunity for economic development, the consensus favored protecting public lands as a shared American heritage rather than selling them off for short-term profit.