119-SJRES-62 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary (119-SJRES-62)

Headline Summary: A resolution to nullify the Bureau of Land Management’s new North Dakota land-use plan using the Congressional Review Act (CRA). [1]Congress.gov — S.J.Res.62 — 119th Congress: Bill overview and status[4]U.S. Government Accountability Office — GAO legal decision B-337175: Applicabil…

What It Does: The resolution would invalidate BLM’s January 2025 Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP) for North Dakota. GAO determined the RMP is a “rule” subject to the CRA, allowing Congress to disapprove it. If a CRA disapproval becomes law, the rule is treated as though it never took effect and the agency is barred from issuing a “substantially the same” rule without new authorization from Congress. [5]Bureau of Land Management — BLM press release: Updates management plan for the…[4]U.S. Government Accountability Office — GAO legal decision B-337175: Applicabil…[3]Congressional Research Service / Congress.gov — CRS: The Congressional Review A…

Why It Matters: The RMP guides BLM’s management of about 58,500 acres of surface lands and over 4.1 million acres of federal minerals in North Dakota for the next 15–20 years. Supporters of repeal say the plan unduly limits coal, oil, and gas development; opponents say using the CRA could create long-term uncertainty by blocking similar future plans. [5]Bureau of Land Management — BLM press release: Updates management plan for the…[6]Office of Rep. Julie Fedorchak — Rep. Fedorchak press release: Delegation intro…[7]National Wildlife Federation — National Wildlife Federation statement opposing…

• Who’s For It: • Sen. Kevin Cramer (ND) and Sen. John Hoeven (ND), who introduced S.J.Res.62, argue repeal protects energy development and “multiple use.” • Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND), sponsor of the House version, plus North Dakota’s governor and energy groups (e.g., Western Dakota Energy Association, North Dakota Petroleum Council) back repeal on jobs-and-revenue grounds. [1]Congress.gov — S.J.Res.62 — 119th Congress: Bill overview and status[8]Office of Sen. Kevin Cramer — Sen. Cramer press release: House passage of resol…[6]Office of Rep. Julie Fedorchak — Rep. Fedorchak press release: Delegation intro…
• Who’s Against It: • National Wildlife Federation and North Dakota Wildlife Federation say CRA repeal of RMPs undermines balanced stewardship, may be legally problematic, and injects uncertainty for ranchers, recreation, and local communities. [7]National Wildlife Federation — National Wildlife Federation statement opposing…

What’s Next: The House passed its companion measure (H.J.Res.105) on September 3, 2025. The Senate resolution (S.J.Res.62) was introduced July 10, 2025 and is in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee; it would need Senate passage and the President’s signature to take effect. If enacted, the North Dakota RMP would have no force or effect under the CRA. [2]Congress.gov — H.J.Res.105 — 119th Congress: Text showing House passage on Sept…[1]Congress.gov — S.J.Res.62 — 119th Congress: Bill overview and status[3]Congressional Research Service / Congress.gov — CRS: The Congressional Review A…