Austin News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, along with Senators Mike Lee, Jim Risch, Mike Crapo, and Mitt Romney, recently introduced the Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act. The bill aims to reform the Antiquities Act of 1906 and bring more transparency and accountability to the designation of national monuments. Companion legislation was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D., and John Curtis.

Highlighting the need for this legislation, Sen. Cruz stated, "The broad language of the Antiquities Act of 1906 has been severely distorted by several administrations to seize rural land without any consequences. Accountability is necessary. Our bill requires the President to receive congressional approval for the designation of a national monument, limiting his ability to make reckless decisions involving public lands."

The Antiquities Act has historically been used to protect archaeological resources on public lands. However, there have been instances where the Act's broad language has been exploited to unilaterally designate vast amounts of public land as national monuments, without sufficient public input or Congressional oversight.

Notable examples include the designation of the Grand-Staircase-Escalante National Monument under President Clinton and the Bears Ears National Monument under President Obama, both covering millions of acres. The recent establishment of a 917,600-acre monument in northern Arizona by President Biden further emphasizes the need for reform.

The Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act has garnered support from various organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Foundation, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Public Lands Council, American Forest Resource Council, and Federal Forest Resource Coalition.

For more information about the Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act, please visit the following links:

• Antiquities Act of 1906
• Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act
• American Farm Bureau Foundation
• National Cattlemen's Beef Association
• Public Lands Council
• American Forest Resource Council
• Federal Forest Resource Coalition