No FED in West Texas Act

H.R. 839 would prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from implementing a land acquisition plan for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in West Texas and eastern New Mexico. The plan, finalized by the Fish and Wildlife Service in April 2024, would have authorized the federal government to acquire up to 700,000 acres of private land surrounding the refuge for conservation purposes. The bill has passed the House Natural Resources Committee and is eligible for a full House floor vote. If enacted, the bill would codify the federal government's current policy, as the Fish and Wildlife Service formally withdrew the land management plan in July 2025. Supporters argue the bill protects private property rights and prevents government overreach affecting farmers and ranchers in the region, while opponents have characterized the original plan as an important conservation effort.