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In the two days since Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada offered up a midnight amendment to sell off hundreds of thousands of acres of public land in order to pay for President Trump's tax cuts, harsh pushback against Amodei's plan has come in from across his own state, calling it irresponsible, flawed, and traitorous.
Although Amodei claimed his 11th-hour bill text was “ drafted and requested by Nevadans,” it came as a surprise to other members of Nevada's congressional delegation, including Sen. Jacky Rosen.
“I am outraged that Congressman Amodei sold out Nevadans in the dead of night by passing a flawed, hastily-drafted proposal,” Rosen said in a statement.
Amodei said the Clark County Commission had urged him to offer the amendment “on their behalf as a member of the majority in the House” but the county disowned the proposal as well.
“We are concerned that this bill does not reflect the Board’s priorities to facilitate responsible future development, especially as it relates to environmental conservation, water and public infrastructure,” Jennifer Cooper, the county's chief communications and strategy officer, told the Las Vegas Sun.
Rep. Susie Lee, whose district includes much of Clark County, noted that a federal law, the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, already facilitates transfers of federal land around Las Vegas while also funding conservation projects.
“For decades, federal law has ensured that proceeds from land sales in southern Nevada stay in Nevada,” Rep. Lee said. “Last night’s traitorous maneuver instead would send Nevada’s land proceeds to Washington to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.”
The land Amodei wants to sell includes land surrounding the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation in northern Nevada. Jonnette Paddy with the Native Voters Alliance of Nevada said the lack of Tribal consultation was a sign of Amodei's disrespect for Tribal nations.
“You don’t accidentally mark land for disposal right next to a sovereign nation,” Paddy told the Sun. “You do that when they’re politically convenient to ignore.”
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...the National Park Service has been engaged in management efficiency for decades. Thousands of volunteers already support the work of the parks. Millions of dollars have been donated by park neighbors and organizations in support of the parks. Thousands of National Park Service positions have been eliminated as budgets have not kept pace with inflation. All of this occurred before 2025. National Park Service employees, who should be on hand to help serve and protect millions of visitors, are under attack.”
