Trump Signs Bipartisan Public Lands Package Into Law

President Donald Trump signed the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (S. 47) into law in a ceremony at the White House on Tuesday.

• The bipartisan legislation includes more than 100 public lands & natural resources proposals, many of which were considered as standalone bills during the last Congress.
• One of its more notable provisions is a permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which invests funds from offshore oil and gas leasing in programs to conserve public lands and resources and expand recreational opportunities.
• It passed the Senate on a 92-8 vote on February 12th, and the House on 363-62 vote on February 26th.
• The bill was originally known as the Natural Resource Management Act but was renamed to honor former Rep. John Dingell, Jr. (D-MI), the longest-serving member of Congress in history who recently passed away. His wife, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), was at the White House for the ceremony.
• Ceremonial pens that President Trump used to sign the bill into law will end up in the hands of Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ):

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Sean Spicer - White House / Public Domain)