Victory! Senator Mike Lee Retreats From Plan To Sell America’s National Parks To The Highest Bidders

A recent attempt to weaken protections for America’s national parks and public lands has been halted, at least for now, after widespread public backlash forced a reversal.

U.S. Senator Mike Lee introduced an amendment to the Interior appropriations bill that would have removed language explicitly preventing the sale of national parks and other protected lands. The proposal immediately sparked outrage among conservationists, park advocates, and the public.

Amid intense opposition, Lee reversed course last night, backing down and leaving existing protections in place.

“This is real progress and it happened because people spoke up. Park advocates raised their voices, flooded Senate offices, and made it clear that selling off or weakening public lands is unacceptable.

That said, this fight isn’t fully over. The Senate recessed before voting, and we have to stay alert in case this threat resurfaces,” shared Western Watersheds Project.

The amendment would have paved the way for our national parks to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, a move that could have permanently altered some of the country’s most treasured landscapes.

As the bill is currently written, the Department of the Interior is barred from selling national park units. That safeguard was added after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum suggested that the National Park Service does not need many smaller sites. Removing this prohibition would have sent a clear signal that shrinking the national park system is acceptable.

This concern is compounded by President Trump’s 2026 budget proposal, which would fund only a fraction of the national park system. Such deep cuts could force the elimination of some park units, especially those already underfunded or deemed less profitable.

Senator Lee, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has repeatedly pushed to sell and privatize public lands. Earlier this year, he introduced a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that would have allowed the sale of millions of acres of public land. That effort was defeated after massive public outrage and bipartisan opposition.

America’s national parks are more than scenic destinations. They are vital refuges for wildlife, essential ecosystems for biodiversity, and irreplaceable spaces for future generations. These protected lands safeguard clean water, preserve natural habitats, and offer a rare connection to the wild in an increasingly developed world.

This moment serves as a powerful reminder of what happens when people use their voices for the greater good. Public pressure works, but only if it continues. The fight to protect our wildlands and national parks is far from over, and vigilance remains essential.