Fargo Standard

Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak, along with Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, has introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution. This move aims to overturn the Biden administration’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Management Plan (RMP) for North Dakota. The Government Accountability Office determined that the plan qualifies for repeal under the CRA.

“North Dakotans saw the Biden administration’s plan for what it was: A backdoor attempt to shut down responsible energy development on federal lands. It would crush coal production, close off millions of acres to leasing, and devastate jobs and communities across our state,” said Rep. Fedorchak. “This legislation overturns this harmful rule and restores common sense for North Dakota’s landowners and energy producers."

Senator Cramer expressed similar concerns, stating, “The Biden Administration’s Bureau of Land Management Resource Management Plan for North Dakota represented another assault upon our state’s economy and energy producers.” He added that Washington bureaucrats ignored state input and legal precedents.

Senator Hoeven described the RMP as an example of overreach by the Biden administration's Green New Deal agenda. He stated that it would lock away vast oil and gas acreage in North Dakota.

In February 2025, the North Dakota delegation requested GAO to determine if the CRA applies to the RMP. Governor Kelly Armstrong supported this initiative, saying it is essential to replace the current plan with one that encourages responsible development.

Alison Ritter from the Western Dakota Energy Association thanked the delegation for introducing this resolution, emphasizing its importance in unlocking North Dakota's energy potential. Ron Ness from the North Dakota Petroleum Council also praised this action against what he termed an "anti-energy power grab."