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The House passed a resolution to overturn a Bureau of Land Management decision that would have allowed oil and gas leasing in the Coastal Plain area.
This resolution (H.J.Res. 131) uses the Congressional Review Act to formally reject a decision made by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The targeted decision, known as a 'Record of Decision,' established a plan for oil and gas leasing in the Coastal Plain. By passing this resolution, Congress effectively cancels that specific drilling program and prevents it from moving forward. This was a final vote on the passage of the resolution. In the House of Representatives, most measures require a simple majority of those present and voting to pass. Because this is a 'joint resolution of disapproval,' it is the primary tool Congress uses to stop federal agencies from implementing specific rules or decisions that lawmakers oppose. The resolution passed with a 217-209 vote, reflecting a sharp partisan divide. Republicans supported the measure to block the agency's plan, while Democrats overwhelmingly opposed it. Since this measure eventually became law, the BLM's leasing plan for the Coastal Plain is now legally void, meaning the drilling operations outlined in that plan cannot proceed.
Following this House passage, the resolution moved to the Senate for consideration before being sent to the President to be signed into law.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This bill directly determines whether a specific federal plan to allow oil and gas drilling in the Coastal Plain can proceed, balancing energy development against environmental conservation.
Who’s affected. Environmental advocacy groups: See their goal of protecting sensitive habitats realized by blocking the specific drilling plan. · Oil and gas companies: Are prevented from pursuing energy development under the specific program that was nullified. · Local communities: May lose out on potential economic benefits, such as jobs and tax revenue, that would have come from the leasing program.
Democrats. Almost all Democrats voted against the resolution, supporting the agency's ability to manage the leasing program as originally planned.
Republicans. Nearly all Republicans voted in favor of the resolution to block the BLM's specific oil and gas leasing plan.
On Passage
Nov 18, 2025
The House passed a resolution to overturn a Bureau of Land Management decision that would have allowed oil and gas leasing in the Coastal Plain area.
This is a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution, a special legislative tool that allows Congress to overturn regulations or decisions made by federal agencies. If passed by both the House and Senate and signed by the President, the agency's rule is cancelled and the agency is prohibited from issuing a similar rule in the future.
Following this House passage, the resolution moved to the Senate for consideration before being sent to the President to be signed into law.
This bill directly determines whether a specific federal plan to allow oil and gas drilling in the Coastal Plain can proceed, balancing energy development against environmental conservation.
The vote followed strict party lines, with Republicans voting to overturn the agency's decision and Democrats voting to keep it in place.
Almost all Democrats voted against the resolution, supporting the agency's ability to manage the leasing program as originally planned.
Nearly all Republicans voted in favor of the resolution to block the BLM's specific oil and gas leasing plan.
The single independent member joined the Republicans in voting 'yea'.