Republican Rejects Trump’s Bill

GOP Divided Over Controversial Public Land Sell-Off as House Conservatives Push Back

Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke (R), a Trump-era Interior Secretary, is sounding the alarm on a Senate GOP budget proposal that would force the sale of up to 1.2 million acres of public land—sparking a growing rebellion among conservatives.

“I won’t support it,” Zinke declared on social media Thursday. “Yes, D.C. has failed at managing public land. But selling it off is not the answer.”

The land sale provision, buried in the Senate’s version of a broader GOP “megabill,” is stirring deep opposition from key House Republicans—and threatens to derail budget negotiations if just a handful break ranks.

🔥 “Public Land Isn’t the Problem—Washington Bureaucracy Is”

Zinke, who oversaw federal land management under President Trump, made it clear: conservatives should not trade land for temporary policy wins.

“Affordable housing doesn’t require millions of acres,” he added in a CNN interview he reposted. “This isn’t about housing—it’s about shrinking federal ownership without a plan.”

Zinke’s bold stance underscores what many grassroots conservatives believe:

The real problem isn’t the land—it’s the unelected federal bureaucrats managing it.

Other Republicans Raise Red Flags: “This Is Arbitrary”

Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) echoed the concerns Wednesday, issuing a pointed statement:

“I support land exchanges when there’s a legitimate public need. But this blanket sale is arbitrary, unnecessary, and lacks public support.”

The original plan, pushed by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), sought to sell between 2.2 and 3.3 million acres of land under the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). After Senate rules blocked that move, Lee revised it down to 1.2 million acres—but it’s still facing major pushback.

Lee claims the sale would boost housing, unlock development, and reduce D.C.’s grip on rural America. But critics warn it’s a rushed plan with unintended consequences.

⚠️ Budget Talks in Turmoil: Medicaid, Tax Reform, Green Energy Cuts Also on the Line

This internal GOP feud comes as conservatives also wrestle with:

• Medicaid spending reforms
• Federal tax deduction caps
• Ending Biden’s low-carbon energy subsidies

With a Friday deadline looming and pressure mounting from the White House, Republicans are juggling competing priorities—and losing unity.

💬 Final Word: Conservatives Say “No Deal” Without Accountability

As the Biden administration pushes for a quick resolution, House conservatives are standing their ground.

“Don’t solve D.C.’s failures by selling off the American West,” Zinke said. “Fix the system instead.”

For many on the Right, this fight isn’t just about land—it’s about defending rural America, protecting conservative values, and reining in the overreach of a bloated federal bureaucracy.