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SJRES 80119th CongressSent to President

A 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 "National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision".

Introduced: Sep 18, 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] (R-Alaska)
Environment & Climate
Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This joint resolution uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to disapprove the Bureau of Land Management’s rule implementing the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD, issued April 25, 2022, guides how the NPR-A is managed for multiple uses, including oil and gas development, wildlife, and subsistence activities. The resolution, introduced by Senators Sullivan and Murkowski, states that Congress disapproves the rule and that the rule shall have no force or effect if the resolution becomes law. The resolution cites a Government Accountability Office (GAO) finding dated July 24, 2025, concluding that the ROD constitutes a rule under the CRA. If enacted, the measure would block the 2022 NPR-A IAP ROD from taking effect and would leave NPR-A management to the pre-ROD framework, pending any future regulatory actions by BLM or Congress. The bill does not change the underlying statute governing NPR-A but prevents the particular regulatory change proposed in the 2022 ROD from being implemented.

Key Points

  • 1Disapproves the Bureau of Land Management’s NPR-A Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision (ROD) issued April 25, 2022.
  • 2Applies the Congressional Review Act (CRA) process; if enacted, the rule would have no force or effect.
  • 3Relies on a GAO letter (July 24, 2025) printed in the Congressional Record stating that the NPR-A ROD is a rule under the CRA.
  • 4Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Sullivan for himself and Sen. Murkowski; referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  • 5Keeps NPR-A management aligned with pre-ROD frameworks until a new regulatory approach is taken, without repealing the underlying statute.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Alaska residents and communities near NPR-A, including subsistence users who rely on the land and wildlife.- Industries involved in oil and gas development within NPR-A and allied businesses.Secondary group/area affected- Bureau of Land Management and federal land managers responsible for NPR-A.- Environmental organizations, wildlife and habitat advocates, and regional stakeholders interested in land use and conservation.Additional impacts- Potential delay or rethinking of development plans tied to NPR-A under the 2022 ROD.- Possible shifts in economic activity related to energy development, jobs, and local infrastructure.- Implications for future regulatory action: Congress could pursue alternate NPR-A management approaches or statutory changes.
Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 2, 2025