The One Big Beautiful Bill Myth vs. Fact
To view the current bill language to HR 1 visit: Section C – Lands
Disclaimer: This document is based on the Sen. Lee amendment to Subtitle C – Lands as of 6/20/25 and is subject to change as new language is released.
❌ MYTH: The sale of federal lands is required everywhere in the United States.
✅ FACT: Only 11 states are included in the bill language. The “eligible states” include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Montana is NOT included.
❌ MYTH: A significant portion of our federal lands are on the chopping block.
✅ FACT: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) shall select for disposal between 0.5% and 0.75% of their eligible land. The US Forest Service (USFS) shall select for disposal between 0.5% and 0.75% of their eligible land base. This is less than 1% of each federal land management agency’s control area and not more than 1.5% of all eligible federal land combined if both agencies chose to sell the maximum amount allowed.
❌ MYTH: There are no protections for important multiple uses— like grazing.
✅ FACT: The June 11 language of the lands section specifically excludes grazing allotments from disposal through the definition of a valid existing right. While the newer language leaked over last weekend didn’t specifically exclude grazing allotments from sale eligibility, commitments have been secured that any updated text will protect grazing allotments.
❌ MYTH: Congress is selling off millions of acres of some of the most ecologically sensitive places in our country with the stroke of a pen.
✅ FACT: Beyond the protections included by excluding the important land systems, to be eligible for consideration for sale, lands must go through an extensive process including notification and state and local government consultation. Then, the BLM and USFS must prioritize sales that were nominated by State and local governments, are adjacent to existing developed areas, have access to existing infrastructure, are suitable for residential housing, reduce checkerboard land patterns, and are isolated tracts that are inefficient to manage.
❌ MYTH: Critical ecosystems are disregarded and can be sold for housing.
✅ FACT: There are numerous protections included in the bill language for critical ecosystems. Federally Protected lands cannot be dispersed. Federally Protected Lands include National Monuments, National Recreation Areas, National Wilderness Preservation Systems, National Trails Systems, National Conservation Areas, National Wildlife Refuge Systems, National Fish Hatchery Systems, National Park Systems, National Preserves, National Seashore or Lakeshore, National Historical Sites, National Memorials, National Battlefield Sites or National Historic Parks.
❌ MYTH: There are loose parameters on the sale process, leading to the possibility of one individual buying up all the available land.
✅ FACT: The BLM and USFS can provide the state or local government wherein a tract of land is located the right of first refusal to purchase the applicable tract of land for community development purposes. A person may not purchase more than two tracts of lands in any one sale covered in this bill unless they are adjacent landowners or a state or local government. Further, BLM and USFS will establish a maximum total acreage of tracts that a person may purchase.
❌ MYTH: There are loose parameters on the usage of the lands if sold.
✅ FACT: The bill states that land shall be used solely for the development of housing or to address associated community needs as defined by the Secretary Concerned. The tract of federal land will include a restrictive covenant requiring the tract of land be used for at least 10 years in accordance with the planned use – affordable housing.
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