Natural Resources Committee
- Referred To
Introduced: Jan 12, 2026
Latest action date: Apr 27, 2026
Latest development
Became Public Law No: 119-85.
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Status detail: Congress.gov records that the measure became law.
Plain-language overview
This joint resolution opens approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties in Minnesota to mineral and geothermal leasing. Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies Public Land Order 7917, which withdrew such land from mineral and geothermal leasing for 20 years beginning in 2023. The Bureau of Land Management issued the order to protect and preserve the Rainy River Watershed, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Mining Protection Area, and the 1854 Ceded Territory of the Lake Superior Chippewa from potential adverse effects of mineral and geothermal exploration and development. The joint resolution removes such protections and allows such land to be leased for the exploration and development of minerals and geothermal energy.
Official summary from Congress.gov · checked Sep 16, 2026.
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Official CRS policy area
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Committees and subcommittees that received, reviewed, marked up, or reported this legislation.
Proposed changes to this measure, with their latest official outcome or action from Congress.gov.
No amendments are listed for this measure.
Checked against Congress.gov Oct 27, 2026.
Newest action first. Action language comes from the official Congress.gov record.
Became Public Law No: 119-85.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 119-85.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S1807-1812)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 49. Record Vote Number: 84.
Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 49. Record Vote Number: 84.
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 49. Record Vote Number: 83. (CR S1790)
Motion to table the point of order that the measure is not entitled to expedited procedures under the Congressional Review Act agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 48. Record Vote Number: 82.
Point of order that the measure is not entitled to expedited procedures under the Congressional Review Act raised in Senate. (CR S1780)
Measure laid before Senate by motion.
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S1779-1780)
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 208 (Roll no. 38). (text: CR H1147)
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 208 (Roll no. 38). (text: CR H1147)
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1156-1157)
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.J. Res. 140, the Chair put the question on passage of the joint resolution and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Huffman demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 140.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6945, H.R. 6359 and H.J. Res. 140. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 6945, H.R. 6359, and H.J. Res. 140 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each measure.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1009. (consideration: CR H1147-1155)
Rule H. Res. 1009 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1009 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6945, H.R. 6359 and H.J. Res. 140. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 6945, H.R. 6359, and H.J. Res. 140 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each measure.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
Recorded House and Senate votes connected to this bill. Your representatives appear first when available.
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