WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Natural Resource Committee passed out of committee the No Federal Expansion Designation (No FED) in West Texas Act, legislation introduced by House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) on January 31, 2025. This bill would prohibit the Biden Administration’s Final Land Protection Plan to expand the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge by over 10,000%, preserving private property rights and protecting West Texas communities from government overreach.
Advancing the No FED in West Texas Act out of the House Natural Resources Committee is an important and significant step towards its consideration by the entire House of Representatives.
Background:
On May 16, 2025, Arrington was joined by Reps. Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt in sending a letter requesting the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies to support efforts to protect the hard-working men and women of West Texas from this unprecedented and unnecessary federal land expansion.
“Like a Hole in our Head” – On April 8, 2025, Chairman Arrington spoke at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing to advocate for the No FED in West Texas Act.
On September 17, 2024, Chairman Arrington authored an op-ed in the Dallas Morning News entitled, “Congressman Arrington: Why I Oppose the Muleshoe Wildlife Refuge Expansion.”
“I have Tremendous Cause for Concern” – on July 16, 2024, Chairman Arrington interviewed with Lubbock’s KAMC to discuss his opposition of the Muleshoe Wildlife Refuge Expansion.
On July 1, 2024, Chairman Arrington sent a letter to the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service demanding answers on its efforts to expand the refuge through the acquisition of private land.
The Rule:
In 2024, Biden’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized a Land Protection Plan that would allow the agency to purchase private lands or acquire conservation easements from willing sellers on up to 700,000 acres in Texas and New Mexico in an effort to expand the effective conservation footprint of the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge.
Video Resources:
“The 30x30 Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Must be Stopped” by American Stewards of Liberty.
