This joint resolution nullifies Public Land Order 7917, which withdrew approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota, from mineral and geothermal leasing for 20 years. 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 the 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.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 140 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. J. RES. 140
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5,
United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land
Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of
Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 12, 2026
Mr. Stauber submitted the following joint resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
JOINT RESOLUTION
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5,
United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land
Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of
Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress disapproves the
rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of
the Interior relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of
Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN (88 Fed. Reg.
6308 (January 31, 2023)), and such rule shall have no force or effect.
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Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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.
Rule H. Res. 1009 passed House.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1009. (consideration: CR H1147-1155)
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.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 140.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
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.
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Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1156-1157)
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 208 (Roll no. 38). (text: CR H1147)
Roll Call #38 (House)On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 208 (Roll no. 38). (text: CR H1147)
Roll Call #38 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate.