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Congress·Enacted·3 months ago

Congress targets 2022 Alaska petroleum reserve plan, would cancel limits and open more land to drilling

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
✓ Review
✓ Senate
✓ House

216–209

✓ President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • Congress moves to cancel the federal land agency’s 2022 plan for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.
  • That plan decided where oil drilling could happen and which areas would be off-limits to protect wildlife and nearby communities.
  • If canceled, more land could open to drilling, bringing jobs and state money in Alaska, but raising risks for caribou, birds, and the climate.
  • This also makes it harder for the agency to issue a similar plan again without a new law from Congress.
  • New drilling would still need leases and permits, so changes would take years and likely won’t move gas prices much in the short term.
Energy EnvironmentAgriculture

Milestones

11 milestones28 actions
Dec 5, 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-47.

Dec 5, 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-47.

Dec 5, 2025

Signed by President.

Dec 5, 2025

Signed by President.

Nov 25, 2025House

Presented to President.

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

short_term

Bureau of Land Management could begin scheduling new lease sales on previously restricted land

The agency can start offering leases on the newly reopened areas, but companies still need to go through environmental reviews and get permits before any drilling begins. This process typically takes years.

Vote Results

3 votes
SenatePassedProceduralOct 29, 2025

On the Motion to Proceed

54
46
Democrat
1 – 44
Republican
53 – 0
Independent
0 – 2
View full roll call
SenatePassedOct 30, 2025

On the Joint Resolution

52
45
Democrat
1 – 43 · 1
Republican
51 – 0 · 2
Independent
0 – 2
View full roll call
HousePassedPassageNov 18, 2025

On Passage

216
209
Democrat
3 – 208 · 3
Republican
213 – 1 · 5
View full roll call

Related News

10 articles
AP News·3 months ago

Congress approves measure to overturn Biden-era management plan for Alaska petroleum reserve

Congress passed a resolution to nullify the 2022 BLM plan for the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska, reopening areas for potential oil and gas leasing and sending the measure to the President.

C=
Roll Call·4 months ago

Senate votes to vacate Biden rule on Alaska petroleum reserve

The Senate approved S.J.Res. 80, using the Congressional Review Act to vacate the 2022 Record of Decision that curtailed leasing across the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska.

C=
Anchorage Daily News·4 months ago

Senate passes measure to remove protections in National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska

By a 52–45 vote, senators advanced a resolution to undo the 2022 NPR-A plan. Backers cite development; conservation groups call the CRA move unprecedented for land-use plans.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

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 "National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision".

Bill NumberSJRES 80
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionBecame Public Law No: 119-47.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.