119-HR-839 Journalist Public Summary
119 · HR 839 No FED in West Texas Act
A House bill would block the Interior Department from carrying out a previously approved plan to expand conservation lands around the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge; backers frame it as protecting private property and limiting federal expansion, while opponents say it would shut down voluntary habitat conservation; as of January 9, 2026, it has been reported and placed on the House Union Calendar, awaiting possible floor debate. (congress.gov)
Headline Summary
This bill would stop the federal government from implementing a land-expansion plan around the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in West Texas. (congress.gov)
What It Does
The “No FED in West Texas Act” bars the Interior Department from finalizing or carrying out the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Land Protection Plan for Muleshoe. That plan envisioned working with willing sellers to protect up to roughly 700,000 acres of habitat across parts of West Texas and eastern New Mexico; the Service later withdrew the plan in 2025, but this bill would put a statutory stop to it. (congress.gov)
Who’s For It
- Rep. Jodey Arrington (R–TX), the sponsor, argues it protects private property and prevents federal land expansion. (congress.gov)
- House Natural Resources Committee Republicans, including Chair Bruce Westerman, praised advancing the bill in 2025 as a check on “overreach.” (myplainview.com)
- Property-rights advocates such as American Stewards of Liberty back the bill and oppose the Muleshoe expansion plan. (americanstewards.us)
Who’s Against It
- Some Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee—e.g., Rep. Jared Huffman—criticized withdrawing the underlying plan, saying it limits landowners’ voluntary conservation choices; they are likely to oppose codifying the halt. (chron.com)
- Conservation supporters who favored the plan say it would have protected habitat (e.g., for sandhill cranes and lesser prairie-chickens) using willing-seller tools, with broader environmental benefits. (fws.gov)
What’s Next
As of January 9, 2026, H.R. 839 has been reported from committee, assigned Union Calendar No. 374, and awaits House floor consideration. If it passes the House, it would move to the Senate. (congress.gov)
Discussion