A joint resolution 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".
Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Introduced:Dec 4, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Lisa Murkowski
R - AK
Cosponsors
1
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Energy
Summary
This bill aims to block a decision by the Bureau of Land Management to allow oil and gas drilling in a protected area of Alaska known as the Coastal Plain. If passed, it would prevent the drilling from moving forward and keep the Coastal Plain off-limits for energy development.
Latest Action
Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill aims to block a decision by the Bureau of Land Management to allow oil and gas drilling in a protected area of Alaska known as the Coastal Plain. If passed, it would prevent the drilling from moving forward and keep the Coastal Plain off-limits for energy development.
Last updated: 12/26/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p>This joint resolution nullifies the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), issued on December 9, 2024, and related to the record of decision (ROD) for the program that leases, develops, produces, and transports oil and gas in and from the Coastal Plain program area within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.</p><p>The 2024 ROD that is being nullified by this resolution replaced the 2020 ROD that made all of the approximately 1.6 million acres of the program area available for oil and gas leasing. The 2024 ROD adopted Alternative D2 in the 2024 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, which made approximately 1.2 million acres unavailable for leasing or exploration in order to protect and conserve resources and certain uses in these areas. However, the 2024 ROD requires the statutory minimum of 400,000 acres to be made available for oil and gas leasing in a specified lease sale, subject to certain stipulations and operating procedures. Under current law, those acres must be located in the areas with the highest potential for the discovery of hydrocarbons.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
The bill seeks to overturn a Bureau of Land Management decision that would allow oil and gas leasing in the Coastal Plain of Alaska.
The Coastal Plain is an ecologically sensitive area that is home to wildlife like caribou, polar bears, and migratory birds.
Supporters of the bill argue that drilling in the Coastal Plain would damage the environment and threaten local indigenous communities, while opponents say it would boost domestic energy production.
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If this bill becomes law, it would block plans to open up the Coastal Plain of Alaska to oil and gas development, preserving the region's natural ecosystems and protecting the livelihoods of indigenous communities that depend on the land. However, it would also limit opportunities for increased domestic energy production from federal lands.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Energy
Related Subjects
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of the Interior
Mining
Oil and gas
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
91, 119th Congress (2025). "A joint resolution 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".". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-sjres-91