House · HJRES 131 · 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 "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision".
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Summary
This bill cancels a 2024 federal rule that blocked about 1.2 million acres in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil and gas drilling. The Bureau of Land Management had set that rule to protect wildlife and natural resources. Canceling it returns the refuge to rules set in 2020, which opened all 1.6 million acres to possible drilling leases.
In Favor
Federal law requires the Interior Department to hold lease sales on the coastal plain under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The 2024 rule blocked that legal duty by locking out 1.2 million acres. Restoring the 2020 rules lets the government meet its legal obligation and collect royalties supporting Alaska jobs and domestic energy supply.
Against
The 2024 rule protected 1.2 million acres of Arctic habitat from drilling damage. Canceling it opens that land to oil and gas leases that could disturb wildlife and fragile ecosystems permanently. Unlike most policy changes, drilling damage to Arctic wetlands and migration corridors is very hard to undo, so this trade-off carries lasting ecological costs.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
This resolution cancels a 2024 Bureau of Land Management decision about oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's Coastal Plain area. The 2024 decision had reduced the land open to leasing from about 1.6 million acres to about 400,000 acres.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The resolution targets only the 2024 Bureau of Land Management leasing decision for the Coastal Plain area. Its provisions stay on topic and do not add unrelated items.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
Energy companies seeking to lease land in the Coastal Plain area would face different rules if this resolution takes effect. The Bureau of Land Management carries a duty to follow whichever leasing rules apply after the resolution.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The resolution itself does not authorize or spend federal dollars. It changes which acres are available for leasing, which affects what future lease sales the Bureau of Land Management may conduct and what revenue those sales could generate.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
Canceling the 2024 decision would restore the 2020 decision, which the Bureau of Land Management would then need to carry out. Any leasing steps already taken or paused under the 2024 decision may require the agency to restart or adjust its process.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 6/2/2026