119-HJRES-131 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

Congress may vote to overturn BLM’s 2024 decision that limited how drilling could proceed on the Arctic Refuge’s Coastal Plain, using a fast‑track process under the Congressional Review Act.

What It Does

H.J. Res. 131 would void the Bureau of Land Management’s “Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision” issued on December 9, 2024 for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s Coastal Plain (about 1.56 million acres). The Government Accountability Office has determined that this Record of Decision counts as a “rule” for CRA purposes, which allows Congress to disapprove it. If enacted, a CRA disapproval would make the decision have no force or effect and generally bar BLM from issuing a substantially similar decision without new legislation. [1]Congress.gov — Text of H.J.Res.131 (Introduced) — 119th Congress[2]U.S. Bureau of Land Management — BLM press release: Congressionally mandated le…[3]U.S. Government Accountability Office — GAO Legal Decision B-337330 (Aug. 25, 2…[4]Congress.gov / GPO — Congressional Record (Sept. 2, 2025): GAO opinion printed,…[5]Congressional Research Service — CRS: The Congressional Review Act (CRA): Frequ…

Why it matters: the 2024 decision set tight terms for any Coastal Plain leasing and a constrained sale method; nullifying it could reopen or change how leasing proceeds, with implications for energy development, state revenue, wildlife habitat, and subsistence uses. Supporters argue the 2024 terms exceeded statutory limits; opponents argue protections are needed to safeguard caribou, polar bears, and Gwich’in communities. [2]U.S. Bureau of Land Management — BLM press release: Congressionally mandated le…[6]State of Alaska Department of Law — Alaska Dept. of Law press release: State su…[7]U.S. Senate (Office of Sen. Murkowski) — Sen. Murkowski press release: “Coastal…[8]Earthjustice — Earthjustice statement: No bids received in Arctic Refuge lease…

Who’s For It

• Sponsor: Rep. Nicholas Begich (R‑AK). [9]Congress.gov — H.J.Res.131 overview page — 119th Congress
• Alaska’s senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan introduced a matching Senate disapproval (S.J. Res. 91). [10]Congress.gov — Text of S.J.Res.91 (Introduced) — 119th Congress
• State of Alaska officials, who sued over the 2024 decision as too restrictive on development. [6]State of Alaska Department of Law — Alaska Dept. of Law press release: State su…
• Rationale from Alaska Republicans: the 2024 Record of Decision departed from Congress’s 2017 direction and unduly constrained leasing. [7]U.S. Senate (Office of Sen. Murkowski) — Sen. Murkowski press release: “Coastal…

Who’s Against It

• Gwich’in Steering Committee opposes using the CRA to overturn the Biden‑era Coastal Plain program, citing threats to sacred caribou calving grounds and subsistence. [11]Gwich’in Steering Committee — Gwich’in Steering Committee: Condemns use of CRA…
• Environmental groups (e.g., NRDC, Earthjustice) criticized opening the Refuge to leasing and supported protective measures; they oppose efforts to undo those protections. [12]NRDC — NRDC press release: New Arctic oil‑drilling lease sale OK’d (Dec. 9, 202…[8]Earthjustice — Earthjustice statement: No bids received in Arctic Refuge lease…

What’s Next

As of November 18, 2025: the House Rules Committee met on November 17 to set floor debate on H.J. Res. 131. For the disapproval to take effect, the resolution must pass the House and Senate and be signed by the President (or enacted over a veto). [13]House Committee on Rules — House Rules Committee: Meeting Announcement for Nov.…[5]Congressional Research Service — CRS: The Congressional Review Act (CRA): Frequ…