H.R.521 - Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 521, the "Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act," seeks to amend Section 320301 of Title 54 of the United States Code, commonly known as the Antiquities Act. The bill aims to reserve the authority to establish or extend a national monument exclusively to Congress. This would remove the President's current ability to unilaterally create or expand national monuments.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would require Congressional approval for all new national monuments or expansions of existing ones. This shifts power from the executive to the legislative branch regarding land designation. It could potentially slow down the process of establishing new national monuments.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Congressional oversight and public input in the designation of national monuments.
- Potential for more balanced consideration of economic and environmental factors.
- Could prevent unilateral decisions that may not reflect the will of the people.
- May lead to more sustainable and widely supported conservation efforts.
- Could reduce potential conflicts between local communities and the federal government regarding land use.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could significantly slow down the process of protecting valuable natural and cultural resources.
- May lead to increased political gridlock and less effective conservation efforts.
- Could make it more difficult to respond quickly to urgent conservation needs.
- Potential for increased lobbying and special interest influence in monument designations.
- May disproportionately affect areas with limited political representation.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill touches on the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, as outlined in Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution, which vests all legislative powers in Congress. The Antiquities Act, originally passed by Congress, delegated some of that power to the President. H.R. 521 seeks to reclaim that delegated power, which is within the purview of Congress.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).