The Democratic senators introduced an amendment to protect access to forests and parks from privatization efforts

Organ Mountain News report

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., are leading an amendment to the Senate budget resolution that would block efforts to privatize federally owned public lands.

The proposal responds to recent reports that Congressional Republicans are considering selling public lands to help fund tax cuts for high-income earners and corporations.

“Public lands belong to all of us,” Heinrich said. “Under the Republicans’ agenda, wealthy out-of-state landowners will be able to turn our most beloved and sacred public lands into their private resorts. Not on our watch.”

Heinrich serves as the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Hickenlooper, who also sits on the committee, echoed Heinrich’s concerns.

“Westerners know our forests, national parks and public lands are priceless,” Hickenlooper said. “Some Republicans want to sell them off to bankroll tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. Our public lands are not — and should not be — for sale.”

Primary tag: Politics
Secondary tags: martin heinrich, john hickenlooper, public lands, senate energy committee