Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act

This bill would change how new national monuments are created. A President’s monument designation would be temporary unless Congress steps in. It would automatically end on the earlier of two dates: 6 months after it starts, or the last day of the current Congress, unless Congress extends or changes it by law. If a temporary monument is not extended or is rejected, that same land could not be included in a new monument for 25 years.

Key points

• Who is affected: Communities near proposed monuments, tribes, outdoor users, conservation groups, and industries like ranching, energy, and mining.
• What changes: New monument designations expire quickly unless Congress approves; land from an expired or rejected monument can’t be re-designated for 25 years.
• When it applies: These limits would apply to monument designations made under the Antiquities Act after this change becomes law.