Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision.

Bill Number: H.J.Res. 131
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Energy
Status: Became Law
Became Law: Public Law 119-52
Latest Action: 2025-12-11: Became Public Law No: 119-52.
Last Updated: 2026-07-09T16:20:58Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 131) aims to disapprove and nullify a specific administrative decision by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), an agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior. The decision in question is the "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision," which relates to authorizing oil and gas exploration and leasing in a designated area, likely the coastal plain of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The resolution invokes the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a law that allows Congress to overturn certain federal agency rules with a simple majority vote and presidential approval.

Key Provisions

Disapproval of the Rule: Congress explicitly disapproves the BLM's Record of Decision issued on December 9, 2024. This decision is treated as a "rule" under the CRA, based on an opinion from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) dated August 25, 2025, and published in the Congressional Record.
Nullification: The rule is declared to have no legal force or effect, preventing its implementation.
Congressional Authority: The resolution is passed by both the House and Senate, with signatures from the Speaker of the House and the Vice President (as Senate President), making it ready for presidential action.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This resolution does not amend broader laws but directly overrides a specific executive branch action under the CRA (chapter 8 of title 5, U.S. Code). The CRA itself remains unchanged, but this use of it blocks the BLM's leasing program, which was authorized by prior legislation like the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (allowing limited leasing in ANWR's coastal plain).
It reverses the BLM's 2024 decision, which may have aimed to implement or expand leasing mandates, effectively pausing or halting new oil and gas development in the targeted area without altering the underlying statutory requirements for future leasing.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The BLM loses authority to proceed with the leasing program, potentially requiring the agency to redirect resources or prepare alternative plans. This could lead to delays in energy permitting processes and increased scrutiny of future BLM decisions under the CRA.
On Citizens: Environmental advocates may benefit from preserved wildlife habitats in the Arctic, reducing risks to ecosystems and indigenous communities dependent on the land. Conversely, it could limit job opportunities and energy independence for Alaskans and U.S. consumers by slowing domestic oil production, potentially affecting fuel prices.
On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it may signal U.S. policy shifts on Arctic resource development, influencing relations with nations like Canada or Russia over Arctic environmental and energy cooperation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal Agencies: Primarily the BLM and Department of the Interior, which manage public lands.
Energy Industry: Oil and gas companies (e.g., those bidding on leases in ANWR) face blocked opportunities for exploration and revenue.
Environmental and Conservation Groups: Organizations like the Sierra Club or wildlife advocates gain from halted development, protecting biodiversity.
Local Communities: Alaskan Native tribes and residents in the Arctic region, who have cultural, subsistence, and economic ties to the land, may see mixed effects—preservation of traditional lands versus lost economic development.
Congress and the Public: Broader U.S. taxpayers and energy consumers, as this affects national energy policy and federal land use.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Reinforces the CRA's role as a check on executive overreach, confirming that certain agency "records of decision" (planning documents under environmental laws like the National Environmental Policy Act) can be classified and overturned as rules. The GAO's opinion provides precedent for treating non-traditional rules under the CRA.
Constitutional: Highlights the separation of powers, with Congress exercising its legislative authority to review and veto executive actions on public lands, aligning with Article I's grant of lawmaking power.
Political: Demonstrates bipartisan or majority congressional will to influence energy and environmental policy, potentially sparking debates on balancing economic growth with conservation. It could set a precedent for using the CRA against late-term agency actions, affecting future administrations' regulatory agendas.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]

Recent Actions

2025-12-11: Became Public Law No: 119-52.
2025-12-11: Became Public Law No: 119-52.
2025-12-11: Signed by President.
2025-12-11: Signed by President.
2025-12-10: Presented to President.
2025-12-10: Presented to President.
2025-12-04: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
2025-12-04: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 45. Record Vote Number: 632. (Roll call 632)
2025-12-04: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 45. Record Vote Number: 632. (Roll call 632)
2025-12-04: Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S8500)
2025-11-19: Received in the Senate, read twice.
2025-11-18: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-11-18: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 209 (Roll no. 295). (text: CR H4750) (Roll call 295)
2025-11-18: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 209 (Roll no. 295). (text: CR H4750) (Roll call 295)
2025-11-18: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4760)

Bill Versions

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision". — issued 2025-11-18 — PDF (4 pages)
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision". — issued 2025-12-10 — PDF (1 pages)
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision". — issued 2025-10-10 — PDF (2 pages)