HJRES 131119th CongressIntroduced

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 "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision".

Introduced: Oct 10, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Begich, Nicholas [R-AK-At Large] (R-Alaska)

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill is a joint resolution that uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) disapproval process to block the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) rule related to the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision (ROD). Specifically, the resolution disapproves the BLM rule issued December 9, 2024, concerning the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program, and cites a Government Accountability Office (GAO) opinion dated August 25, 2025 that the ROD constitutes a rule under the CRA. If enacted, the rule would have no force or effect, effectively preventing the BLM from implementing the leasing program as described in the ROD. In short, the bill would prevent federal implementation of the Coastal Plain oil and gas leasing plan and preserve the status quo by blocking the agency’s regulatory action through Congress’s disapproval authority.

Key Points

1The bill provides congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code (the CRA) of the BLM rule tied to the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision.
2It identifies the rule as issued on December 9, 2024, and notes a GAO letter (August 25, 2025) concluding that the ROD is a rule under the CRA.
3The effect of the resolution is that the rule “shall have no force or effect.”
4The bill was introduced in the House by Mr. Begich on October 10, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
5The action is a legislative disapproval, not a repeal of any underlying statute authorizing leasing; it blocks the specific regulatory action described in the ROD.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected:- Federal land management and regulatory actions by the Bureau of Land Management concerning the Arctic Coastal Plain (part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) and associated oil and gas leasing activities.- Oil and gas industry interests seeking to lease or develop on the Coastal Plain, and their investors/partners.Secondary group/area affected:- Alaska Native communities and stakeholders involved in or affected by coastal plain development, as well as communities relying on or impacted by energy development and related environmental considerations.- Environmental organizations and conservation advocates monitoring oil and gas activities in sensitive Arctic ecosystems.Additional impacts:- Environmental and wildlife considerations linked to Arctic coastal plain development (caribou habitat, tundra ecosystems, wildlife resources).- Budgetary and regulatory implications for BLM and related federal agencies, including potential shifts in leasing timelines and regulatory certainty.- Political and legal implications related to the CRA process and ongoing debates over energy development on federally managed lands.

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