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 Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 140
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Became Law
- Became Law
- Public Law 119-85
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-27: Became Public Law No: 119-85.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T15:23:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution uses the Congressional Review Act (a law allowing Congress to overturn certain federal agency rules) to disapprove and cancel a rule issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), part of the Department of the Interior. The rule relates to Public Land Order No. 7917, which withdrew (reserved from public use) certain federal lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota.
Key Provisions
- Congress explicitly disapproves the BLM rule published in the Federal Register (88 Fed. Reg. 6308, January 31, 2023).
- The disapproved rule "shall have no force or effect," meaning it is nullified and cannot be implemented.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Reverses the BLM's Public Land Order No. 7917 by invalidating the associated rule.
- No new laws are created; it simply blocks an executive agency action through congressional override.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: BLM loses authority to enforce the land withdrawal, requiring potential reversal of any preparatory actions.
- On citizens and local areas: Federal lands in the specified Minnesota counties remain open for potential uses like mining, recreation, or development that the withdrawal would have restricted.
- On international relations: None apparent.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Department of the Interior: Direct loss of the rule's implementation.
- Residents and businesses in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN: Gains access to lands previously set aside.
- Congress: Asserts oversight over executive actions.
- Environmental groups, mining companies, or land users: Potentially conflicting interests, with some benefiting from open access and others from protection.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Exemplifies the Congressional Review Act in action, a tool for Congress to check agency rulemaking without needing presidential approval (simple majority vote suffices).
- Constitutional: Reinforces separation of powers by allowing legislative branch to nullify executive actions on public lands.
- Political: Highlights partisan use of fast-track disapproval process, common at the start of new administrations to undo prior rules; no court challenges mentioned.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2], Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-27: Became Public Law No: 119-85.
- 2026-04-27: Became Public Law No: 119-85.
- 2026-04-27: Signed by President.
- 2026-04-27: Signed by President.
- 2026-04-17: Presented to President.
- 2026-04-17: Presented to President.
- 2026-04-16: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2026-04-16: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 49. Record Vote Number: 84. (Roll call 84)
- 2026-04-16: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 49. Record Vote Number: 84. (Roll call 84)
- 2026-04-16: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S1807-1812)
- 2026-04-15: Measure laid before Senate by motion.
- 2026-04-15: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 49. Record Vote Number: 83. (CR S1790) (Roll call 83)
- 2026-04-15: Motion to table the point of order that the measure is not entitled to expedited procedures under the Congressional Review Act agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 48. Record Vote Number: 82. (Roll call 82)
- 2026-04-15: Point of order that the measure is not entitled to expedited procedures under the Congressional Review Act raised in Senate. (CR S1780)
- 2026-04-15: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S1779-1780)
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 Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN. — issued 2026-01-21 — 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 Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN. — issued 2026-04-17 — 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 Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN. — issued 2026-01-12 — PDF (2 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 Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN. — issued 2026-01-26 — PDF (2 pages)