119-HJRES-105 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

Congress is moving to void BLM’s 2025 North Dakota land-use plan using the Congressional Review Act; the measure has passed both chambers and goes to the President. [3]Congress.gov, Library of Congress — H.J.Res.105 — Text of the joint resolution[1]Congress.gov, Library of Congress — H.J.Res.105 — Congress.gov overview and act…

What It Does

H.J.Res. 105 cancels BLM’s January 2025 Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the North Dakota Field Office by using the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The RMP guides how BLM manages about 58,500 acres of surface lands and 4.1 million acres of federal mineral estate; it updated a 1988 plan by, among other things, limiting oil and gas development in low‑potential areas and restricting new coal leasing to within four miles of existing mines. GAO determined the RMP is a “rule” subject to CRA review. [4]Federal Register — Federal Register notice: Record of Decision and Approved Res…[3]Congress.gov, Library of Congress — H.J.Res.105 — Text of the joint resolution[1]Congress.gov, Library of Congress — H.J.Res.105 — Congress.gov overview and act…[5]Congress.gov, Library of Congress — Congressional Record excerpt including GAO…

Why it matters: supporters argue the 2025 plan curtailed energy production and state revenues; opponents say using CRA on RMPs could upend long‑term land stewardship and public input processes. [6]Office of the Governor of North Dakota — ND Governor Kelly Armstrong statement…[7]National Wildlife Federation — National Wildlife Federation press release on Ho…

Who’s For It

• North Dakota delegation (Rep. Julie Fedorchak; Sens. Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven) — say the RMP shut off leasing on nearly 99% of federal coal acreage and about 44% of federally owned fluid‑mineral acreage, undermining jobs, revenues, and “multiple use.” [8]U.S. House (Rep. Fedorchak) press office — Rep. Julie Fedorchak press release:…[9]U.S. Senate (Sen. Cramer) press office — Sen. Kevin Cramer press release on Sen…
• North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong and state officials — cite projected losses (e.g., ~$34 million/year in state revenue) and potential job impacts from the RMP; urged repeal. [6]Office of the Governor of North Dakota — ND Governor Kelly Armstrong statement…
• Trump Administration — issued a Statement of Administration Policy backing disapproval of the North Dakota RMP. [2]American Presidency Project — Statement of Administration Policy on H.J.Res. 10…

Who’s Against It

• House Natural Resources Committee Democrats — argue RMPs are not CRA‑reviewable “rules” (citing Interior’s view) and say the resolutions would erase years of public engagement. [10]House Natural Resources Committee (Democrats) — House Natural Resources Committ…
• Conservation and wildlife groups (e.g., National Wildlife Federation) — warn that using CRA would bar BLM from issuing a “substantially similar” plan later and create uncertainty for ranchers, recreation businesses, and local communities. [7]National Wildlife Federation — National Wildlife Federation press release on Ho…
• Process note: GAO reached the opposite legal conclusion, finding the North Dakota RMP is a rule under the CRA, highlighting an unresolved dispute over how CRA applies to land‑use plans. [5]Congress.gov, Library of Congress — Congressional Record excerpt including GAO…

What’s Next

Status: Passed the House on September 3, 2025 (215–211) and the Senate on October 8, 2025 (50–45). It now goes to the President; the White House has signaled support. [1]Congress.gov, Library of Congress — H.J.Res.105 — Congress.gov overview and act…[2]American Presidency Project — Statement of Administration Policy on H.J.Res. 10…

If enacted, the RMP would be treated as though it never took effect, and BLM would be barred from issuing a “substantially the same” plan without new congressional authorization — a phrase the CRA does not define, which could invite further disputes. [11]Congressional Research Service — CRS: The Congressional Review Act (CRA): Frequ…