The U.S. Senate voted 50 to 46 to approve a joint resolution led by Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, both Republicans from Alaska, aimed at overturning the Biden administration’s Central Yukon Resource Management Plan (CYRMP). The plan, finalized in November 2024, had faced criticism from Alaska’s congressional delegation for limiting access to resource development and economic opportunities in the region.
The Congressional Review Act (CRA) was used as the legislative tool for this disapproval. The House of Representatives passed a companion CRA resolution introduced by Congressman Nick Begich earlier in September. With Senate approval, the measure now awaits action by the President.
Senator Murkowski explained the reasoning behind the move: “Senator Sullivan and I advanced this disapproval resolution for the Central Yukon RMP because the 1,800-page plan finalized last year – over our objections – unnecessarily restricted access to millions of acres of Alaska and kept obsolete Public Land Orders in place,” she said. “Re-opening the Central Yukon RMP will allow BLM to develop a more balanced plan that complies with numerous federal laws – including ANCSA, ANILCA, and ALTAA – as well as the fundamental principle of multiple use on public land. I expect a new final plan to address long-standing access issues, provide greater opportunity for economic development, including key energy and mineral resources, and ensure Alaska Native landowners in the region can maximize the use of their own lands while still protecting subsistence and conserving where truly necessary.”
Senator Sullivan also criticized the CYRMP: “The Biden administration’s Central Yukon Resource Management Plan was an egregious case of federal overreach and just one of the administration’s 70 executive orders and actions singularly focused on harming Alaska, our economy, and our working families,” he said. “This particular scheme effectively locked up millions of acres of Alaska’s land, ignored Alaska Native voices, undermined long-standing federal law, and blocked access to critical mineral, energy, gravel, and material resources that our local communities, state and nation need. As I said in my remarks on the floor today, these issues of access to lands and responsible resource development are not just theoretical. Over time, they actually impact the very health and livelihoods of my constituents. I wish more of my Senate Democratic colleagues would’ve respected this fact, shown some courage, crossed the far-left Lower 48 eco-colonialist groups endlessly trying to lock up our state, and stood with Alaskans. I do want to thank a majority of our colleagues in the Senate—and of our House colleagues in early September—for standing with me, Senator Murkowski and Congressman Begich, and helping to ensure Alaska’s resources are managed responsibly for the benefit of our people, economy, and national security.”
Congressman Begich added: “The Biden-era Central Yukon plan locked up millions of acres of land and cut off access to resources critical to our national and economic security in Alaska. With Senate passage of this resolution we are re-opening opportunity in one of Alaska’s most impoverished regions,” he stated. “By continuing to restore Alaska’s ability to responsibly develop its own resources we strengthen America’s national security and lower costs for working families across our state. I am proud to see this legislation head to the President’s desk and grateful for the work of Senator Murkowski and Senator Sullivan to get this across the finish line as we continue to unlock Alaska’s resource potential.”
Under CRA procedures Congress can invalidate certain agency regulations through a joint resolution if it passes both chambers with a simple majority vote; it then requires presidential approval or an override if vetoed.
Earlier this year on February 28th members from Alaska’s congressional delegation requested that Government Accountability Office (GAO) determine whether CYRMP constituted a rule under CRA standards; GAO concluded affirmatively on June 25th triggering congressional review timelines.
The legislation aligns with objectives outlined by former President Trump’s executive order directing rescission of Biden-era plans deemed barriers to development or inconsistent with prior federal policy toward Alaska.
Supporters include Doyon Limited—an influential regional Native corporation—as well as several industry groups such as Resource Development Council Of Alaska , American Energy Alliance , Citizens For Responsible Energy Solutions , among others . The legislation does not change existing conservation designations nor does it grant automatic approvals for projects like Ambler Access Project or facilitate public land sales .
