Washington Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse has drawn a firm line against the potential inclusion of federal land sales in the GOP’s (Grand Old Party) expansive tax and spending bill. Alongside four fellow Western Republicans, he warned House leadership that such provisions would cost the bill their support.

Lawmaker Draws Red Line

Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington made it clear he would vote against the Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill” if it contains proposals to sell federal public lands. He voiced this stance in a June 26 letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, co-signed by four other GOP House members from the West.

United GOP Opposition

Reps joined Newhouse. Ryan Zinke (Montana), Mike Simpson (Idaho), Cliff Bentz (Oregon), and David Valadao (California). The group wrote, “If a provision to sell public lands is in the bill that reaches the House floor, we will be forced to vote no.”

GOP Majority on Edge

With Republicans holding a slim 220-212 majority in the House, even a few defections could tank the legislation. The budget package previously passed the House by only one vote in May, after an earlier land sale proposal covering 500,000 acres in Nevada and Utah was removed.

Senate Proposal Reignites Fight

Sen. Mike Lee of Utah revived the issue this month by proposing a much larger land sale measure, targeting millions of acres managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, including lands in Washington. Although the Senate parliamentarian later ruled the plan out of order, Lee vowed to pursue a narrower version.

Land Sale Backlash

The House Republicans’ letter described Lee’s proposal as a “grave mistake, unforced error, and poison pill that will cause the bill to fail should it come to the House floor.” They acknowledged that Senate changes to the bill were generally acceptable, but not this one.

Budget Bill Under Scrutiny

Nicknamed “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the legislation combines major tax cuts with spending reforms and has become a key GOP priority. But the inclusion of land sales threatens to fracture support within the party, particularly among members from Western states with strong ties to public lands.

Newhouse Firm But Silent

A spokesperson for Newhouse confirmed on Friday that the congressman had no further comments on the issue beyond the letter sent to Speaker Johnson. The letter, dated June 26, is now central to a growing standoff within Republican ranks.