FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Allison, mark@nmwild.org, 505-239-0906
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (June 30, 2025) — Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Mike Lee was forced to retreat from his efforts to sell off public lands on Saturday night, removing his provision from the reconciliation bill in the wake of bipartisan opposition and fierce pushback from a broad coalition of conservationists, businesses, and outdoor enthusiasts.
The defeat comes just days after an estimated 2,000-3,000 New Mexicans gathered in Santa Fe for the largest show of support for public lands in the state’s history, confronting Interior Secretary Doug Burgum while he attended the Western Governors Association meeting.
“While the cynical attacks on our public lands, monuments, national parks, and land management agencies will surely persist, there are lessons here,” said New Mexico Wild Executive Director Mark Allison. “Americans of all political stripes deeply care about and will jealously defend their public lands. Broad coalitions of unlikely allies and public demonstrations absolutely make a difference.”
The opposition to Lee’s plan united an unprecedented coalition, from New Mexico families to MAGA influencers, conservative hunters to environmental groups, and Republican lawmakers to Democratic activists.
“For politicians still not convinced that the stove is hot, they would do well to remember the examples of former Representative Jason Chaffetz and this most recent humiliation of Senator Mike Lee,” Allison continued. “New Mexicans proved that when our public lands heritage is threatened, we show up and we fight back.”
New Mexico Wild remains vigilant against ongoing threats to public lands protections and will continue defending the state’s treasured landscapes for future generations.
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