Senate sends bills on water, public lands to Trump

By Manuel Quiñones | 12/17/2025 06:19 AM EST

The legislation passed despite ongoing concern among Democrats about the fate of natural resources legislation.

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) emerges from a Senate Democratic Caucus luncheon.

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said on Tuesday he would object to passing other House Republican natural resource bills until the president signs more Democratic proposals. Francis Chung/POLITICO

The Senate approved a handful of House-passed bills Tuesday as lawmakers weigh how to advance legislation on natural resources issues.

Democrats have been calling on Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Mike Lee (R-Utah) to advance a broad lands package with priorities from both parties. But Lee would rather move legislation in smaller chunks.

Among the bills passed Tuesday was H.R. 1043, from Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), the “La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act,” which would allow an an Arizona county to buy 3,400 acres of federal land for solar energy and economic development.

Also heading to President Donald Trump’s desk are:

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