Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Bill 119 HR 2645, also known as the "National Monument Creation and Protection Act," aims to amend the Antiquities Act to give Congress more oversight when it comes to designating national monuments. The Antiquities Act, passed in 1906, allows the President to designate national monuments without congressional approval.

Under this bill, any national monument designation made by the President would require approval from the state legislature, governor, and Congress before it can be finalized. This is intended to ensure that local stakeholders have a say in the designation process and that decisions are made with input from elected officials.

The bill also includes provisions for the review and potential rescission of existing national monument designations. It requires the President to submit a report to Congress detailing the economic impact of any proposed national monument designation, as well as the potential impact on public access to the land. Overall, the goal of Bill 119 HR 2645 is to increase transparency and accountability in the national monument designation process, giving Congress and local stakeholders a greater role in decision-making.