H.J.Res. 140 · 119th Congress · Public Lands and Natural Resources
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.
Nullifies a federal land withdrawal order, opening Minnesota forest lands to mineral leasing. AI-read
What it does
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.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Apr 27, 2026 (Public Law). CRS summarizes bills impartially; it does not take positions.
Roll call votes
| Date | Question | Party split (yea) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 21, 2026 House roll 398 |
On PassageProviding 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 | D 1–207 · R 213–1 |
Passed 214–208 |
| Apr 15, 2026 Senate roll 741 |
On the Motion to TableA 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. | D 0–45 · R 51–1 · I 0–2 |
Passed 51–48 |
| Apr 15, 2026 Senate roll 742 |
On the Motion to ProceedA 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. | D 0–45 · R 51–2 · I 0–2 |
Passed 51–49 |
| Apr 16, 2026 Senate roll 743 |
On the Joint ResolutionA 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. | D 0–45 · R 50–2 · I 0–2 |
Passed 50–49 |
What members said about it
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Last week, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, visited gateway communities to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), where he met with local advocates,…
“I come from a mining family. I'm not against every mine everywhere. My dad worked for Anaconda Copper, and my grandfather was a gold miner. But I learned, negotiating with big companies over natural resource damages, that there are smart places to put mines — and there are places where they really don't belong. And you…”
Latest action
Apr 27, 2026 · Became Public Law No: 119-85.