Today, Congressional Western Caucus Members celebrated passage of H.J. Res. 60. This Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution, introduced by Executive Vice Chair Celeste Maloy (UT-02), overturns a Biden Administration rule banning the use of off-road vehicles and ATVs on 24 miles of road in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA), home to Lake Powell in Utah and Arizona. The resolution passed by a bipartisan vote of 219-205.
“I introduced a resolution to nullify a senseless rule that limits recreation in a National Recreation Area, and I'm thrilled to see the House advance it,” said Executive Vice Chair Maloy. “Ensuring that agencies are managing land for multiple uses, as directed by Congress, is a continuous battle that I will continue to fight so that people in Utah and across the country are free to continue exploring and enjoying the land that was set aside for them.”
“The Biden Administration relentlessly waged an assault on the multiple-use mandate for Federal lands, including by restricting recreational activities on public lands,” said Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01). “The Congressional Western Caucus is dedicated to ensuring these actions are overturned and recreational usage is restored for Americans in these areas, including the Glen Canyon NRA. Thank you to Executive Vice Chair Maloy for her leadership.”
“Today is a great day for Utahns and all Americans who enjoy outdoor recreation and access to our public lands,” said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04). “With today's vote, House Republicans are restoring access to iconic American destinations and undoing the Biden administration’s land lockups. I thank Congresswoman Maloy for her work on this issue and her steadfast leadership for southern Utah.”
“I am proud to cosponsor and vote in support of H.J. Res. 60 to roll back a misguided Biden-era regulation that limited access to public lands within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area,” said Representative Blake Moore (UT-01). “Our public lands should be open for all to access and enjoy—especially designated recreation areas—and the previous rule not only restricts access but also goes against the spirit of public lands.”
“Utahns know best how to care for our public lands,” said Representative Burgess Owens (UT-04). “After years of top-down mandates from Washington bureaucrats, we're reversing the off-road vehicle ban in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area — restoring access for Utahns to responsibly enjoy these beautiful lands. This is a big win for Utah, and I'm grateful to Congresswoman Maloy for leading the charge.”
"Utah’s land is some of the most unique in the world and it should be utilized and enjoyed by our citizens—not tangled up in federal government restrictions,” said Representative Mike Kennedy (UT-03).
Read the resolution here.
