Public Law 119-85
Cancels a federal order that had closed about 225,000 acres of national forest in northeastern Minnesota, near the Boundary Waters, to new mining leases for 20 years.
What this law changes
From a secondary sourceCancels a federal order that had closed about 225,000 acres of national forest in northeastern Minnesota, near the Boundary Waters, to new mining leases for 20 years.
This account is written from the official description of the bill. We have saved the law's official text and have not finished checking the account against it.
Transparency Score
The Transparency Score is the share of this law’s dollars that goes to what the law says it is for.
Transparency Score
Share of the text within the stated purpose:Not checked yetThe text of this law provides and authorizes no dollar amount. The score is the share of its text within the stated intent. That share is "Not checked yet": no reading of this law is approved by a person yet.
How this is counted
- Transparency Score: dollars in sections a person approved as within the stated intent, divided by total dollars in the law. Shown as a percentage. Higher means more of the money goes to what the law says it is for.
- Beside it, the same two numbers the other way round: total dollars divided by dollars within the stated intent. 1.00 means every dollar is within the stated intent. When no dollar is within the stated intent this ratio cannot be computed, and the answer says so.
- Total dollars: appropriated dollars plus authorized dollars, read from the law's text by the rules below. Dollars in a section whose reading is unclear or was not read count in the total and are shown apart as unclear.
- A law whose text provides and authorizes no dollar amount reads "No money in this law". Its score is the share of its words that are in sections within the stated intent.
- The score reads "Not checked yet" until a person approves the law's reading of which sections are within the stated intent. The dollar totals need no reading and are shown before that.
- The dollar totals read "Not checked yet" when more than 10 percent of the dollars read could not be sorted by the rules.
- Every dollar amount in our saved text of the law is read: "$1,234,567", "$5 billion", "$2.5 million". Margin notes, page marks and the table of contents are left out. Each amount is kept with the words printed around it.
- Appropriated: the sentence says "there is appropriated", "is hereby appropriated" or "out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated"; or the amount is the one an appropriations paragraph ("For ..., $X") provides under an account heading of an appropriations act.
- Authorized: the sentence says "authorized to be appropriated". An authorization lets a later law provide the money. It provides none itself.
- A list under such a sentence ("there is appropriated the following: (1) ...; (2) ..."): an amount that begins an item is counted the same way as the sentence says, unless the sentence gives a total first. Then the items are parts of that total.
- "$X for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030" is counted as X times the number of years named (here 5). The yearly figure, the years and the product are all kept. "For each fiscal year" with no years named is counted once, and the answer says so.
- Open-ended: "such sums as may be necessary" names no amount. It is counted as an item and adds no dollars.
- Rescinded: "is hereby rescinded", "permanently cancelled", or an item of a list headed "the following funds are hereby rescinded". Shown apart. Not subtracted from the total.
- Not spending, and left out of the total: an amount after "not to exceed", "not more than", "up to", "less than", "in excess of" and like words; a fine or penalty; a limit the law raises ("the limitation is increased by $X"); a figure the law strikes from another law; and a figure inside words it writes into another law ("striking $X and inserting $Y"), unless the same sentence says the figure is authorized or appropriated.
- Counted once: an amount after "of which", after "Provided, That", or after "of the amounts made available" is a part of a total already counted. Where a paragraph ends "in all, $X", that total is counted and the amounts before it are its parts.
- An amount the rules cannot sort is "not classified". It is listed with its words and left out of the total. Nothing is guessed.
- Total dollars: appropriated dollars plus authorized dollars. The two are also shown apart.
What the law says it is for
Confirmed from the official recordThese are the law’s own words, and the words of Congress’s records, about what the law is for.
Official title
“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 Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.”
The words under "Joint Resolution", Public Law 119-85, official text · Saved October 5, 2026 · Fingerprint 1f0403665d8a7ec2
Congress's summary · Congressional Research Service
“This joint resolution opens approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties in Minnesota to mineral and geothermal leasing. Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies Public Land Order 7917 , which withdrew such land from mineral and geothermal leasing for 20 years beginning in 2023. The Bureau of Land Management issued the order to protect and preserve the Rainy River Watershed, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Mining Protection Area, and the 1854 Ceded Territory of the Lake Superior Chippewa from potential adverse effects of mineral and geothermal exploration and development. The joint resolution removes such protections and allows such land to be leased for the exploration and development of minerals and geothermal energy.”
Summary of the version: Public Law, Congressional Research Service summary: Public Law · Saved October 6, 2026 · Fingerprint a90d7f4c54b23866
The law's text gives it no short title.
The law has no findings or purpose section.
The bill's record names no committee report.
Dollars in this law
Confirmed from the official recordThe text of this law provides and authorizes no dollar amount.
Source: Public Law 119-85, official text · Saved October 5, 2026 · Fingerprint 1f0403665d8a7ec2
Other measures
Each measure has its own status. None is added into the score.
- Dollars in sections added along the way
- No money in this law
- Member-requested dollars as a share of appropriated dollars
- Not checked yet
No list of member-requested spending is printed in the 33 official records saved for this law, and no committee report says there is none.
- Open-ended amounts (“such sums as may be necessary”)
- 0 passagesConfirmed from the official record
- Other bills whose text this law contains
- 0 billsConfirmed from the official record
- How the House passed it
- Recorded vote: 214 Yes, 208 No, 0 Present, 9 Did not vote, January 21, 2026Confirmed from the official record
- How the Senate passed it
- Recorded vote: 50 Yes, 49 No, 0 Present, 1 Did not vote, April 16, 2026Confirmed from the official record
- Committee report saved
- None in the official recordConfirmed from the official record
The bill's official record names no committee report.
- Hearing saved
- None in the official recordConfirmed from the official record
The bill's official record names no hearing.
How these are counted
- Added along the way, sections: sections of the final law marked "added later", divided by the sections compared.
- Added along the way, words: words in those sections, divided by the words in the sections compared.
- Each text is read as a list of words. A run is 5 words in a row. For each section of the final law we count the share of its runs that appear anywhere in the first published text of the bill. 90 percent or more: in the first text. From 20 to 90 percent: changed. Under 20 percent: added later. A section with fewer than 20 words is not compared.
- Sections outside the stated intent: sections a person approved as outside the stated intent, divided by the sections read. The same count is given in words.
- Member-requested spending: the number of items in the lists Congress printed for the law, and the sum of their dollar amounts.
- A part that is not checked yet is shown as "Not checked yet". It is never counted as zero. No single blended number is given.
Added along the way
Not checked yetSections added later: Not checked yet. The first text of this bill was replaced: 100 percent of it is not in the final law. Under 20 percent of the first text is in the final law, so nearly every section reads as added later.
Amendments adopted
The record lists no adopted amendment to this bill.
Other bills whose text this law contains
The Congressional Research Service marks no other bill as one whose text this law contains.
Member-requested spending
No list foundNo list of member-requested spending is printed in the 33 official records saved for this law, and no committee report says there is none.
Sections outside the stated intent
Not checked yetA person reviews each reading before it appears here.
On the record
On the record: Not started.
Press releases by members of Congress
From a secondary sourceThese are press releases from members' official websites that name this law. We save a copy of each one.
10 press releases
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Scalise's Summer Update: Key House Republican Wins of 2026
“H.J. Res. 140 (Stauber) – Expresses congressional disapproval of the Public Land Order No. 7917 that implemented a mineral withdrawal of approximately 225,504 acres, banning mining and other resource extraction in Northern Minnesota and putting our nation’s mineral security at risk.”
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President Trump Signs Stauber Bill into Law, Ending Biden's Illegal Mining Ban
“WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Donald Trump signed into law Congressman Pete Stauber’s (MN-08) Congressional Review Act legislation, H.J. Res. 140. With his signature, the Biden administration’s 20-year mining ban in the Superior National Forest is officially overturned.”
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Republicans Sell Out America’s Most Beloved Wilderness to Foreign Mining Conglomerate
“Washington, D.C. - Today, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the Senate voted to send H.J. Res. 140 to President Trump’s desk, using the Congressional Review Act to open over 250,000 acres in the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota to mining.”
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Sheehy Statement on Boundary Waters CRA
“Today I voted for H.J. Res. 140, which rescinds the excessive mineral withdrawal that was enacted in 2023. I have engaged in deep consultation with environmental experts, activist groups, community members, and elected leaders on both sides of this issue.”
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U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum Condemns Senate Vote to Allow Foreign Mining Company to Pollute the BWCA
“WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D), Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, issued the following statement on Thursday upon Senate passage of H.J. Res. 140, which would allow foreign mining companies to begin toxic mineral extraction which would permanently pollute the headwaters of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA):”
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Stauber’s Bill to End Biden’s Illegal Mining Moratorium in Minnesota Heads to the President’s Desk
“WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States Senate passed Congressman Pete Stauber’s (MN-08) Congressional Review Act resolution, H.J. Res. 140, to repeal the Biden administration’s illegal 20-year mining ban on 225,504 acres in Northern Minnesota’s Superior National Forest. It will now head to the President’s desk for signature.”
Show all 10
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Ranking Member Huffman Slams Backdoor Attempt to Open Boundary Waters to Toxic Mining
“Washington, D.C. – Today, Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) against H.J. Res. 140, a Congressional Review Act resolution that would overturn protections for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota and allow a Chilean mining company with ties to China to pursue a sulfide-ore copper mine near its headwaters.”
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“Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D, MN-04) issued the following statement on Wednesday following the passage of H.J. Res. 140, which would expose the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness watershed to toxic acid mine drainage:”
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Stauber’s Bill to End Biden’s Mining Ban in Minnesota Passes House
“WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.J. Res. 140, a Congressional Review Act resolution introduced by Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) to repeal the Biden Administration's illegal 20-year mining ban on 225,504 acres in Northern Minnesota's Superior National Forest.”
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Stauber Introduces Resolution to Overturn Biden's Mining Ban in Northern Minnesota
“WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Congressman Pete Stauber introduced H.J. Res. 140, a Congressional Review Act (CRA) disapproval resolution that would reverse the Biden Administration’s illegal mining ban in Northern Minnesota. Following the resolution’s introduction, Congressman Stauber released the following statement:”
Read from 539 of 539 members' sites, releases since January 3, 2025, through October 7, 2026.
Press releases by organizations
From a secondary sourceThese are press releases from the websites of organizations named in lobbying reports, where the release names this law. We save a copy of each one.
“News item” marks an item the site publishes outside its press release pages.
1 news item
- THE CONSERVATION ALLIANCEMarch 10, 2026
News item TCA Insider: March 2026
“Last month, the House passed H.J. Res. 140, which uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the region’s 2023 mining ban. We anticipate an uphill battle as the bill moves to the Senate.”
Named in 1 lobbying report, on this law. See the lobbying reports that name H.J.Res. 140
No registered political committee found under this name.
Read from 510 of 510 organizations' sites, releases since January 3, 2025, through October 7, 2026.
What it touches
Kind of law: Cancels a federal rule. Budget effect: No direct effect on agency budgets.
Government
- Laws and regulations
- Land, housing and natural resources
The economy
- Mining, drilling and land use
Daily life
- Environment and outdoors
- Rural communities
- Work
Agencies it funds or directs
Dollar amounts:Not checked yetHow it passed
The House passed it 214 to 208 on January 21, 2026, with 9 members who did not vote.
The Senate passed it 50 to 49 on April 16, 2026, with 1 senator who did not vote.
The question on the official record: House, “On Passage”. Senate, “On the Joint Resolution (H.J. Res. 140)”.
| Chamber and party | Yes | No | Present | Did not vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House Republicans | 213 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| House Democrats | 1 | 207 | 0 | 5 |
| Senate Republicans | 50 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Senate Democrats | 0 | 45 | 0 | 0 |
| Senate independents | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
How each member votes
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Lobbying reports that name this bill
Confirmed from the official record14 saved lobbying reports name H.J.Res. 140. The amount is what the report gives for the whole quarter: everything the registrant did for that client, all issues together. A linked name opens that organization’s page on this site.
| Registrant | Client | Amount for the whole quarter | Quarter | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BACKCOUNTRY HUNTERS & ANGLERS | BACKCOUNTRY HUNTERS & ANGLERS | $9,550.00reported as expenses | April to June 2026 | Open the report |
| BRUMIDI GROUP | RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT, INC. | $30,000.00reported as income | April to June 2026 | Open the report |
| PORT SIDE STRATEGIES, LLC | COALITION TO PROTECT AMERICAS NATIONAL PARKS | $20,000.00reported as income | April to June 2026 | Open the report |
See the 14 listed reports that name H.J.Res. 140
Senate Office of Public Records cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from LDA.gov.
Lobbying Disclosure Act reports, LDA.gov. This copy was read October 7, 2026 at 7:54 PM Eastern.
Where this comes from
We saved our own copy of each official vote file listed here before writing this page. A code beside a file is its fingerprint, a short code that changes if the file's contents change.