A joint resolution 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 "Miles City Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment".
- Bill Number
- S.J.Res. 61
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-07: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 179.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-09T21:21:58Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (S.J. Res. 61) aims to disapprove a specific decision and amendment issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), an agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior. The disapproval is made under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a law that allows Congress to overturn certain federal agency actions. By doing so, the resolution prevents the BLM's decision from taking effect, effectively blocking changes to land management plans in the Miles City Field Office area (likely in eastern Montana).
Key Provisions
- Disapproval of the Rule: Congress explicitly disapproves the BLM's "Miles City Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment," issued on November 20, 2024.
- No Force or Effect: The resolution states that the disapproved action "shall have no force or effect," meaning it cannot be implemented or enforced.
- Reference to GAO Opinion: It cites a June 25, 2025, opinion from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent congressional watchdog, which determined that the BLM's action qualifies as a "rule" under the CRA, making it eligible for congressional review.
- Procedural Steps: Introduced by Senator Daines (with co-sponsor Senator Sheehy) on July 10, 2025; referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; committee discharged by petition on October 7, 2025, under 5 U.S.C. 802(c) (a CRA provision allowing direct floor consideration); placed on the Senate calendar.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution does not amend or create new laws but invokes the existing CRA (chapter 8 of title 5, U.S. Code) to nullify a specific agency action.
- It overrides the BLM's administrative decision, which amended a resource management plan (RMP)—a long-term blueprint for managing public lands, including uses like grazing, mining, energy development, and conservation.
- No broader changes to the CRA or BLM authority are introduced; it targets only this one action.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The BLM loses authority to implement the amended plan, potentially requiring it to revert to the prior RMP or pursue new processes. This could delay or alter federal land management in the affected area, affecting about 1.4 million acres of public lands.
- On Citizens and Local Communities: Residents, ranchers, and businesses in eastern Montana (e.g., energy producers, farmers) may see preserved or disrupted access to land uses, depending on what the amendment sought to change (e.g., restrictions on development or conservation priorities).
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as this concerns domestic public lands with no foreign elements mentioned.
- Overall, it could lead to ongoing uncertainty in land use until a new plan is developed, influencing local economies tied to natural resources.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM): Directly impacted as the agency whose action is blocked; must adjust operations without the amendment.
- Local Governments and Communities in Montana: Particularly in the Miles City area, where land management affects agriculture, energy extraction (e.g., oil and gas), and recreation.
- Industry Groups: Energy, mining, and ranching sectors that rely on BLM lands for operations; environmental and conservation organizations if the amendment involved protections.
- Congressional Members: Senators from resource-dependent states like Montana, who sponsored the resolution to influence federal land policy.
- General Public: Taxpayers and users of public lands, as it shapes how federal resources are managed.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the CRA's role as a check on executive branch agencies, allowing "fast-track" disapproval without presidential signature (though it requires passage by both chambers). The GAO opinion highlights how administrative actions can be classified as "rules" for review, even if not formal regulations.
- Constitutional: Upholds Congress's oversight of the executive branch under Article I (legislative authority), balancing separation of powers by curbing agency rulemaking without new legislation.
- Political: Demonstrates partisan or regional tensions over public lands, with Republican sponsors (Daines and Sheehy from Montana) likely opposing perceived overreach by the Biden-era BLM. If enacted, it could set a precedent for challenging similar agency plans, potentially leading to more CRA uses in a divided Congress. No court challenges are mentioned, but disputes over land use could arise in the future.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-07: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 179.
- 2025-10-07: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c).
- 2025-10-07: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c).
- 2025-07-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-07-10: Introduced in Senate
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 Miles City Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment. — issued 2025-07-10 — 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 Miles City Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment. — issued 2025-10-07 — PDF (4 pages)