FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2025

Montanans condemn continued threat to public lands in Senate bill

Updated provisions undermine decades of bipartisan conservation in the West

(HELENA, Mont.) — This week, the Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund released the following statement from Interim Executive Director Renee Kelley, responding to the U.S. Senate’s latest version of the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” which still includes provisions to allow the sale of public lands:

“While the Senate Parliamentarian rightly blocked Senator Lee’s initial public lands sell-off proposal for violating Senate rules, the fight is far from over. Senator Lee’s new sell-off language continues a decade-long effort to dismantle protections for our public lands through rushed, secretive processes that evade public input. Montanans and Americans across the country have made themselves clear: we reject these backdoor efforts and will continue fighting to keep our public lands in public hands for recreation, wildlife, our communities, and future generations.

We commend Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy for publicly opposing the public land sell-off and pledging to remove Senator Lee’s damaging amendment. We urge all of Montana’s Congressional delegation to heed their constituents and stand united against public lands sales in any form.”