House · HJRES 104 · 119th Congress
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Miles City Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment".
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Summary
Congress voted to cancel a federal land rule for a large area in Montana. The rule had blocked about 1.7 million acres from being considered for coal mining leases. This affects how the Bureau of Land Management controls public land in the Miles City area.
In Favor
Blocking coal leasing on 1.7 million acres cuts off jobs and energy that communities depend on. Congress has the right to review and reject federal rules that were never passed by elected lawmakers. Canceling this rule gives the public a say in how their land is used.
Against
The original rule protected 1.7 million acres of public land from coal mining activity. Canceling it reopens that land to leasing, which could affect water, wildlife, and open range. Future land reviews will need to start over, costing time and money.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
Congress used a specific review process to cancel a federal land management rule for the Miles City Field Office in Montana. The canceled rule had removed about 1.7 million acres from further consideration for coal leasing.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The resolution stays focused on canceling one specific Bureau of Land Management rule for one field office in Montana. The provisions do not extend to other offices, rules, or topics.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
The resolution affects how roughly 1.7 million acres of federal land in Montana can be managed going forward. Federal land managers, coal companies seeking leases, and communities near those lands may be directly affected.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The resolution itself does not authorize spending or charge fees. However, canceling the rule could shift costs onto the Bureau of Land Management to manage coal leasing decisions for the affected acres under prior guidance.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
By canceling the rule, the Bureau of Land Management must apply its previous guidance to the Miles City area. The agency would need to determine how to handle leasing decisions for the roughly 1.7 million acres without the canceled plan in place.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 6/5/2026