Montana Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke expressed opposition Wednesday to language in the GOP’s tax, energy and border security package mandating public land sales.
The House Natural Resources Committee approved its portion of the party-line legislation after hours of debate. And close to midnight on Tuesday, the panel added an amendment ordering the sale of about 11,000 acres of public land in Utah and Nevada.
Zinke’s opposition, which he plans on making clear to House leaders, could imperil the GOP’s plans to approve their megabill by simple majority through the budget reconciliation process.
“I have told leadership before, I have told leadership since, that … I strongly don’t believe [land sales] should be in the reconciliation bill,” Zinke said during a press conference launching a Public Lands Caucus.
