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 "Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment".
- Bill Number
- S.J.Res. 89
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-20: Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8395)
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-09T21:25:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (S.J. Res. 89) aims to disapprove a specific administrative decision by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), an agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior that manages public lands. It uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a law allowing Congress to overturn certain federal agency rules, to nullify the BLM's "Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment." This amendment was issued on November 20, 2024, and affects land use planning in the Buffalo Field Office area, likely in Wyoming.
Key Provisions
- Disapproval of the Rule: The resolution explicitly states that Congress disapproves the BLM's record of decision and approved resource management plan amendment.
- No Force or Effect: Once passed, the disapproved rule would be void and unable to be enforced or reissued in substantially the same form without new congressional approval.
- Procedural Background: Introduced by Senator Cynthia Lummis (with cosponsor Senator John Barrasso) on October 8, 2025; referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; discharged by petition under 5 U.S.C. 802(c) on November 18, 2025, and placed on the Senate calendar (No. 270).
- Supporting Documentation: References a Government Accountability Office (GAO) opinion from September 18, 2025, confirming that the BLM action qualifies as a "rule" under the CRA, printed in the Congressional Record.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution does not amend statutes but invokes the CRA (chapter 8 of title 5, U.S. Code) to override an executive agency action. The CRA itself remains unchanged, but this use blocks the BLM's planned updates to its resource management plan for the Buffalo Field Office.
- It prevents the amendment from taking effect, reverting land management decisions to prior plans without the new provisions (details of which are not specified in the resolution but likely involve resource extraction, conservation, or development restrictions).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The BLM would lose authority to implement the amendment, potentially delaying or altering public land management strategies in the affected area. This could require the agency to maintain or revert to older plans, increasing administrative workload.
- On Citizens and Local Communities: Residents, businesses, and users of public lands in the Buffalo Field Office region (e.g., for recreation, ranching, or energy development) may see unchanged or restored access to resources, avoiding potential new restrictions on activities like mining or drilling.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this concerns domestic public land management.
- Broader effects could include shifts in environmental protection or economic development, depending on the amendment's content, but the resolution ensures status quo until further action.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primarily the BLM, which manages over 245 million acres of public land; also the Department of the Interior and GAO for oversight.
- Industry and Businesses: Energy, mining, and agriculture sectors operating in Wyoming's public lands, who may benefit from blocking restrictive changes.
- Environmental and Conservation Groups: Organizations advocating for land protection, who could oppose the disapproval if the amendment enhanced conservation.
- Local Communities and Citizens: Wyoming residents, particularly in the Buffalo area, affected by land use policies for jobs, recreation, and natural resources.
- Congress: Senators from resource-dependent states like Wyoming, using this to influence federal land policy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the CRA's role as a check on executive power, allowing fast-track disapproval of agency actions without full bicameral passage or presidential signature if expedited. The GAO opinion strengthens its legal basis by classifying the BLM decision as reviewable.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's oversight authority under Article I but highlights tensions between branches, as it curbs the executive's implementation of land management laws like the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.
- Political: Demonstrates partisan or regional interests in public lands debates, with Wyoming senators (both Republicans) pushing back against perceived overreach by the executive branch. If enacted, it could set a precedent for similar resolutions on other BLM plans, influencing future environmental and energy policies without altering underlying laws.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-20: Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8395)
- 2025-11-19: Measure laid before Senate by motion.
- 2025-11-19: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 47. Record Vote Number: 621. (Roll call 621)
- 2025-11-18: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 270.
- 2025-11-18: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c).
- 2025-11-18: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c).
- 2025-10-08: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-10-08: 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 Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment. — issued 2025-10-08 — 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 Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment. — issued 2025-11-18 — PDF (4 pages)