Miller-Meeks Introduces the Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-01) and Conservative Climate Caucus Chairman John Curtis (UT-03) today introduced the Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act, legislation that requires congressional approval for the designation of national monuments.

Original cosponsors of the Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act include: Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Tom McClintock (CA-05), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Matt Rosendale (MT-02), Burgess Owens (UT-04), John Rose (TN-06), Ashley Hinson (IA-02), and Richard Hudson (NC-09).

“We must preserve the use of federal lands for responsible recreational, agricultural and energy use,” said Representative Miller-Meeks, M.D. “For years the Obama and Biden administrations used the Antiquities Act to institutionalize massive executive overreach, seizing acres and acres of land without consequence. In some congressional districts, almost 80% of rural land is set aside as public or federal land. The Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act would curb executive overreach and require the administration to consult Congress before making rash decisions about our federal lands.”

“It is abundantly clear Congress must prevent more abuses by the Antiquities Act that go against the will of impacted communities,” said Representative Curtis. “There is no question we can protect our public lands, but that should only be done with broad buy-in and collaboration. This legislation will ensure proper accountability and sustainability of our shared lands.”

“The Biden Administration has abused the Antiquities Act to lock up land across the West from development without the consent of Congress, most recently in Arizona with a new Grand Canyon National Monument. I’m proud to join Congresswoman Miller-Meeks, a Vice-Chair of the Western Caucus, on her legislation to require Congressional approval of National Monument designations to end the Executive Branch’s overreach and ensure greater access to public lands,” said Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse.

Background:

• The Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act, requires congressional approval of presidential declarations within 6 months or before the end of the last session of the Congress it was introduced, whichever comes first. 
• If the legislation is not approved by Congress, the monument cannot be designated again by the President for 25 years.

###