Overturn the Bureau of Land Management rule “Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint…”

This joint resolution opens approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties in Minnesota to mineral and geothermal leasing. Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies Public Land Order 7917, which withdrew such land from mineral and geothermal leasing for 20 years beginning in 2023. The Bureau of Land Management issued the order to protect and preserve the Rainy River Watershed, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Mining Protection Area, and the 1854 Ceded Territory of the Lake Superior Chippewa from potential adverse effects of mineral and geothermal exploration and development. The joint resolution removes such protections and allows such land to be leased for the exploration and development of minerals and geothermal energy.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service (Public Law), via GovInfo BILLSTATUS. Text, sponsors and history on Congress.gov. Sponsor: Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8].

Passed 214–208 on Jan. 21, 2026 · On Passage

Democrats 1–207, Republicans 213–1

Source: Official roll call · Voteview

Joint Resolution Passed 50–49 on April 16, 2026 · On the Joint Resolution

Democrats 0–45, Independents 0–2, Republicans 50–2

Source: Official roll call · Voteview