The Controversy of Public Land Sales in GOP Legislation

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chair Mike Lee pushed to sell parcels of federal land as part of the GOP’s megalaw. But his plan failed after facing strong opposition from Democrats, conservationists, and even some fellow Republicans. Garrett Downs from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down why the proposal failed and how the fight over public lands may not be over yet in Congress. Plus, the Center for Biological Diversity on Tuesday expanded its lawsuit challenging a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service assessment that concluded oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico would not affect endangered wildlife.

Garrett Downs covers Congress for POLITICO’s E&E News.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy. 

Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO. 

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

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