Fact Check: "The U.S. Senate added a mandate to the budget bill on June 10, 2023, requiring the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to sell off roughly 3 million acres of public land by 2030."
What We Know
The claim states that on June 10, 2023, the U.S. Senate mandated the sale of approximately 3 million acres of public land by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as part of a budget bill. However, a review of the legislative records and budget documents from the U.S. Senate shows no such mandate was included in any budget bill during that time. The budget process involves various appropriations bills, which are detailed in resources like Congress.gov and the U.S. Senate, but none indicate a requirement for land sales of this magnitude.
Additionally, the budget bill passed in December 2022 (P.L. 117-328) does not contain any provisions related to the sale of public lands by the Forest Service or BLM, as confirmed by the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Analysis
The assertion that the Senate added a mandate for the sale of public land lacks supporting evidence from credible legislative sources. The U.S. Senate's official records, including votes and bills, do not reflect any action taken on June 10, 2023, regarding such a mandate (U.S. Senate: Votes). Furthermore, the absence of any mention of this requirement in the budget documents or appropriations bills suggests that the claim is unfounded.
The claim may stem from misunderstandings or misinterpretations of ongoing discussions about land management and budget allocations, but it is not substantiated by actual legislative action. The sources consulted, including the official U.S. Senate website and Congress.gov, are reliable and authoritative, providing clear insights into the legislative process and the contents of bills.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that the U.S. Senate mandated the sale of approximately 3 million acres of public land by 2030 as part of a budget bill on June 10, 2023, is not supported by any legislative evidence. The official records and budget documents do not contain such a mandate, indicating that this assertion is incorrect.
