Sen. John Barrasso - Ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Sen. John Barrasso - Ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senators Mike Lee and John Curtis have introduced new legislation aimed at reforming the Antiquities Act of 1906. The bill, named the Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act, seeks to curtail what the senators describe as executive overreach in the designation of national monuments.
Senator Lee stated, "Predatory use of the Antiquities Act by previous administrations have locked up millions of acres of federal land, completely ignoring the intent of the law and the will of impacted states like Utah." He emphasized that this legislation aims to protect Western states' people and economies from being compromised for environmental agendas.
Senator Curtis added his perspective, saying, "Utahns know best how to manage the lands they have cared for over generations." He argued that national monument designations should be a task handled by Congress in collaboration with local constituents who are familiar with these areas.
The proposed legislation removes Section 2 from the Antiquities Act, thereby granting Congress exclusive authority to modify or revoke national monument designations. This change would prevent any President from making unilateral decisions regarding such monuments.
The bill has companion legislation introduced by Congresswoman Celeste Maloy and Congressman Mark Amodei.
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