Overview
- Sen. Mike Lee pulled his amendment late Thursday, leaving Section 130 intact as the Interior appropriations bill still awaits further Senate consideration.
- Section 130, authored by Sen. Susan Collins, would keep all current National Park Service units and related designations as federal lands operated by the Park Service as of May 2, 2025.
- The National Park Service told senators the provision’s broad language could freeze boundaries and block more than 20 pending or completed land exchanges and adjustments.
- Lee’s office says he opposes selling parks and sought to avoid unintended impacts on routine swaps, a position supported publicly by Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
- Conservation groups including NPCA and the Center for Western Priorities argued removing Section 130 would open the door to transfers or sales, as broader budget-cut proposals and a Jan. 30 funding deadline heighten the stakes.