The U.S. Senate has passed a joint resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s Central Yukon Resource Management Plan (CYRMP), with a vote of 50 to 46. The resolution, introduced by Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, both Republicans from Alaska, seeks to reverse the CYRMP Record of Decision issued in November 2024. The House previously approved a companion resolution led by Congressman Nick Begich, also a Republican from Alaska. The legislation now awaits action by the President.
Senator Dan Sullivan stated, “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. 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.”
Senator Lisa Murkowski commented on the passage: “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. 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.”
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. 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.”
The Congressional Review Act (CRA) allows Congress to overturn certain federal agency regulations through a joint resolution that can bypass normal Senate procedures for expedited consideration. If approved by both chambers and signed by the President—or if Congress overrides a veto—the targeted rule is invalidated.
In February 2025, Alaska’s congressional delegation asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) whether the CYRMP Record of Decision qualified as a “rule” under CRA guidelines. The GAO concluded in June that it did qualify; this triggered the CRA timeline for congressional review.
The delegation says their legislation aligns with former President Trump’s executive order aimed at promoting resource development in Alaska by directing reversal of the Biden-era plan.
The bill does not change conservation designations established under existing laws such as ANILCA or automatically approve new development projects like Ambler Access Project.
Supporters include Doyon Limited (an Alaska Native Corporation), regional tribal organizations such as the Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope and Arctic Slope Regional Corporation; industry groups including the Alaska Miners Association; Americans for Prosperity; American Energy Alliance; National Federation of Independent Business; American Exploration and Mining Association; Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions; Resource Development Council of Alaska; and former officials from the Trump administration.
