WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.J.Res. 131 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-52

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision.

Became lawEnergy
IntroducedOct 10, 2025
Passed HouseNov 18, 2025
Passed SenateDec 4, 2025
To PresidentDec 10, 2025
Became lawDec 11, 2025

What it does

Sourced

This joint resolution opens public land for oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies the record of decision (ROD) issued by the Bureau of Land Management on December 9, 2024, for the program that leases, develops, produces, and transports oil and gas in and from the Coastal Plain program area within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The 2024 ROD that is being nullified by this resolution replaced the 2020 ROD that made all of the approximately 1.6 million acres of the program area available for oil and gas leasing. The 2024 ROD made approximately 1.2 million acres unavailable for leasing or exploration in order to protect and conserve resources and certain uses in these areas. However, the 2024 ROD requires the statutory minimum of 400,000 acres to be made available for oil and gas leasing in a specified lease sale, subject to certain stipulations and operating procedures. Under current law, those acres must be located in the areas with the highest potential for the discovery of hydrocarbons.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Oct 10, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. 2025-12-11Became Public Law No: 119-52.Library of Congress
  2. 2025-12-11Became Public Law No: 119-52.Library of Congress
  3. 2025-12-11Signed by President.Library of Congress
  4. 2025-12-11Signed by President.Library of Congress
  5. 2025-12-10Presented to President.House floor actions
  6. 2025-12-10Presented to President.Library of Congress
  7. 2025-12-04Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  8. 2025-12-04Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 45. Record Vote Number: 632. Roll call recordSenate
  9. 2025-12-04Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 45. Record Vote Number: 632. Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  10. 2025-12-04Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S8500)Senate
  11. 2025-11-19Received in the Senate, read twice.Senate
  12. 2025-11-18Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  13. 2025-11-18On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 209 (Roll no. 295). (text: CR H4750) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  14. 2025-11-18Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 209 (Roll no. 295). (text: CR H4750) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  15. 2025-11-18Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4760)House floor actions
  16. 2025-11-18POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.J. Res. 131, the Chair put the question on passage of the joint resolution and by voice vote announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Huffman demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
  17. 2025-11-18The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  18. 2025-11-18DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 131.House floor actions
  19. 2025-11-18Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107 and H.R. 5214. The resolution provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides for one motion to recommit on H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214, and one motion to commit S.J. Res. 80.House floor actions
  20. 2025-11-18Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 879. (consideration: CR H4750-4753)House floor actions
  21. 2025-11-17Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 879 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107 and H.R. 5214. The resolution provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides for one motion to recommit on H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214, and one motion to commit S.J. Res. 80.House floor actions
  22. 2025-10-10Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.House floor actions
  23. 2025-10-10Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  24. 2025-10-10Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

After it became law

Sourced

Since it became law on Dec 11, 2025, the Federal Register, the government's daily record of rules and notices, has published 1 document that name it: 1 notice.

Named in the body of the document

The quote shows how each one uses the law: as the reason for a change, as background, or in passing.

  1. NoticeApr 20, 2026Land Management Bureau, Interior Department
    Notice of 2026 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Lease Sale
    This action advances priorities in Executive Order 14153 and Secretary's Order 3422--Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential--and implements direction in Public Law 115-97, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017; Public Law 119-21, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act; and P.L. 119-52, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision.

Found by searching the Federal Register for Public Law 119-52 and the law's names, then reading each document: every one listed contains them, and the quote is its own words. An agency can carry out a law without naming it, so this list can miss some. Checked Oct 27, 2026. Every new law's rules

Recorded votes

Sourced

Nov 18, 2025 · House roll call 295 · needed 1/2

On Passage: Passed 217–209

R 214 yes, 1 no, 4 present or not votingD 3 yes, 208 no, 3 present or not voting

How each member voted · Official record

Dec 4, 2025 · Senate roll call 632 · needed 1/2

On the Joint Resolution: Joint Resolution Passed 49–45

R 49 yes, 1 no, 3 present or not votingI 0 yes, 2 noD 0 yes, 42 no, 3 present or not voting

How each member voted · Official record