Sens. Heinrich, Hickenlooper, and Bennet sponsored an amendment to prevent the sale of public lands, which was narrowly rejected by Senate Republicans.
GOLDEN, CO (APRIL 8, 2025)— On April 4, Senators Martin Heinrich and John Hickenlooper were joined by Senator Michael Bennet in introducing an amendment that would have prevented the sale of public lands from being included in the upcoming federal budget package.
The amendment was rejected by the Senate in a narrow vote of 48-51, with all votes in opposition to the amendment coming from Senate Republicans. Republican Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, both from Montana, joined Democrats in supporting the amendment. Despite the rejection of the amendment, it was an important show of leadership from Senators Heinrich, Hickenlooper, and Bennet, representing the strong support from Americans across the West for public lands.
As previously reported by E&E News, Congressional Republicans are seeking to include the sale of federal lands as an offset to pay for the permanent extension of 2017 tax cuts. These tax cuts, which primarily benefit the wealthiest Americans, were scheduled to expire this year. Congressional Republicans are developing a budget package that will strip protections from public lands to fund the permanent extension of this tax cut for billionaires.
“We’re disappointed to see that the majority of Senate Republicans are putting the interests of the wealthy over the majority of Americans who deeply love our public lands,” said Teresa Martinez, Executive Director of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC).
More than 80% of Coloradans support not just preserving but expanding public lands as a critical part of their way of life and a prosperous outdoor economy.
“We are deeply grateful for Senators Hickenlooper and Heinrich spearheading (and Senator Bennet for co-sponsoring) this amendment, continuing their ongoing efforts to stop the sale of our public lands to the highest bidder. Despite the failure of the amendment, and as challenges to public lands rapidly continue, these Senators continue to stand for the interests of average Coloradans and Westerners over billionaires. Their strong leadership on this issue sends a clear message that our lands are not for sale, and we will not stop fighting to protect this legacy,” Martinez said.
Rejection of the amendment by Senate Republicans is the latest in a series of attacks on public lands, including rolling back protection for national monuments, proposed increased leasing for oil and gas on public lands, and firing thousands of federal employees who had ensured public access and recreation on public lands.
These efforts are endangering the economies of rural communities, denying access to recreation and resources on public lands, and are directly in opposition to the interests of American people.
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About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The Continental Divide Trail Coalition is the leading nonprofit partner working to complete, promote, and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Through advocacy, stewardship, and community engagement, CDTC ensures the CDT remains a treasured resource for adventure, conservation, and inspiration. Learn more at cdtcoalition.org.
