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HJRES 131Signed into LawFederalhouse

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 October 10, 2025Last action December 11, 2025
View official bill

Legislative Progress

Introduced
Referred
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed Chamber
Passed Both
Enrolled
Signed

Plain English Summary

AI-generated

Plain-English Summary

This bill uses a special congressional procedure — called the Congressional Review Act — to cancel a rule that was created by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a federal agency that manages public lands. The specific rule being canceled was called the "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision," which had set the terms and conditions for allowing oil and gas drilling on the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska. By passing this bill, Congress voted to throw out that rule and block it from taking effect.

In practical terms, this means the federal framework that had been established to permit oil and gas companies to lease land and drill for oil in that part of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is now nullified. Any leasing or drilling activity that was being planned or authorized under that specific rule would no longer have a legal foundation. The bill has completed the full legislative process — it passed both chambers of Congress and was signed into law by the President, making it Public Law No. 119-52.

This legislation affects several groups: energy companies that had obtained or were pursuing drilling leases in the region, the state of Alaska and its residents (particularly those with economic interests tied to oil development), Indigenous communities in the area, and environmental advocates concerned about protecting the Arctic refuge's ecosystem. Depending on one's perspective, the effects of this law are significant — it removes a pathway for oil development in a federally protected wilderness area.

This summary is AI-generated for informational purposes. Always refer to the official bill text for legal accuracy.

Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 119-52.

December 11, 2025

Sponsor

R
Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]RAK

Committees

Natural Resources

Legislative History

Became Public Law No: 119-52.

Dec 11, 2025

Signed by President.

Dec 11, 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-52.

Dec 11, 2025

Signed by President.

Dec 11, 2025

Presented to President.

Dec 10, 2025

Presented to President.

Dec 10, 2025
house

Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 45. Record Vote Number: 632.

Dec 4, 2025
house

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 45. Record Vote Number: 632.

Dec 4, 2025
house

Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S8500)

Dec 4, 2025
house

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Dec 4, 2025
house

Received in the Senate, read twice.

Nov 19, 2025

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 209 (Roll no. 295). (text: CR H4750)

Nov 18, 2025
house

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Nov 18, 2025
house

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 209 (Roll no. 295). (text: CR H4750)

Nov 18, 2025
house

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4760)

Nov 18, 2025
house

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.J. Res. 131, the Chair put the question on passage of the joint resolution and by voice vote announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Huffman demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

Nov 18, 2025
house

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

Nov 18, 2025
house

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 131.

Nov 18, 2025
house

Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107 and H.R. 5214. The resolution provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides for one motion to recommit on H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214, and one motion to commit S.J. Res. 80.

Nov 18, 2025
house

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 879. (consideration: CR H4750-4753)

Nov 18, 2025
house

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 879 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107 and H.R. 5214. The resolution provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides for one motion to recommit on H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214, and one motion to commit S.J. Res. 80.

Nov 17, 2025
house

Introduced in House

Oct 10, 2025

Introduced in House

Oct 10, 2025

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Oct 10, 2025