Republican Lawmakers Call for Hearing on Efforts to Allow Foreign Ownership of Public Lands

The ongoing debate surrounding the management and ownership of public lands in the United States has taken a new turn, with Republican lawmakers expressing concerns over recent efforts to open federal property up for public and foreign ownership. In a letter to House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., requested a hearing to assess the implications of natural asset companies (NACs) and their potential impact on American property rights.

NACs, a type of company chartered to protect, restore, and grow the natural assets under their management to foster healthy ecosystems, have been proposed as a solution to climate change by some. However, critics argue that these companies could bring partisan and progressive influence onto public land management, potentially leading to the sale of millions of acres to foreign entities.

Banks expressed his concerns in the letter, stating that the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) movement, which focuses on financial markets, is now using NACs to influence public land management. He demanded that the SEC provide a clear explanation of the benefits of listing NACs in an open hearing and questioned whether they would generate investor returns at all.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities has raised alarm among many Americans, who view these lands as belonging to the people and not the government or the states. The idea of foreign ownership of public lands is seen as a betrayal of the American people, who have fought to preserve the country for its citizens.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has proposed that NACs capture the intrinsic and productive value of nature and provide a store of value based on the vital assets that underpin the economy. Natural assets that could be grouped into a NAC include forests, wetlands, and coral reefs, as well as working lands such as farms.

In 2023, the NYSE proposed a rule change with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that would have allowed for NACs to be listed on the exchange. However, after receiving widespread criticism from Republican state financial officers and attorneys general, as well as the House Natural Resources Committee, the SEC announced that NYSE had rescinded the proposal.

Despite the proposal’s withdrawal, Banks noted in his letter that the possibility of listing NACs in the future still exists. Douglas Eger, chairman and CEO of the Intrinsic Exchange Group, which first floated the idea of listing NACs as a free market solution to climate change, remains committed to pushing the concept.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities has been met with skepticism and concern from many Americans, who view these lands as belonging to the people and not the government or the states. Some argue that the sale of public lands to foreign entities would eliminate productive use, such as ranching, farming, and energy production, and could deny shared access to public land for recreation and hunting.

Will Hild, the executive director of watchdog group Consumers’ Research, previously expressed his concerns, stating that the sale of public lands to foreign entities would hand free rein to big corporations and potentially deny access to millions of acres to American citizens. He also noted that the sale of public lands to foreign entities could have serious financial implications for the average American’s portfolio.

In conclusion, the debate over the ownership and management of public lands in the United States has taken a new turn, with Republican lawmakers expressing concerns over recent efforts to open federal property up for public and foreign ownership. The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities has raised alarm among many Americans, who view these lands as belonging to the people and not the government or the states. The implications of NACs and their potential impact on American property rights warrant further investigation and discussion.

The SEC should provide a clear explanation of the benefits of listing NACs in an open hearing, and serious financial questions must be addressed regarding their ability to generate investor returns. The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities could have significant implications for American citizens, and it is essential that their concerns are addressed and their property rights are protected.

The sale of public lands to foreign entities is a contentious issue that has the potential to divide the American people. It is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with all perspectives being considered and addressed. The future of public land management in the United States hangs in the balance, and it is essential that the American people’s concerns are heard and addressed.

The sale of public lands to foreign entities is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a significant issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The sale of public lands to foreign entities is a contentious issue that has the potential to divide the American people. It is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with all perspectives being considered and addressed. The future of public land management in the United States hangs in the balance, and it is essential that the American people’s concerns are heard and addressed.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a significant issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a contentious issue that has the potential to divide the American people. It is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with all perspectives being considered and addressed. The future of public land management in the United States hangs in the balance, and it is essential that the American people’s concerns are heard and addressed.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a significant issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a contentious issue that has the potential to divide the American people. It is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with all perspectives being considered and addressed. The future of public land management in the United States hangs in the balance, and it is essential that the American people’s concerns are heard and addressed.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a significant issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a contentious issue that has the potential to divide the American people. It is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with all perspectives being considered and addressed. The future of public land management in the United States hangs in the balance, and it is essential that the American people’s concerns are heard and addressed.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a significant issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a contentious issue that has the potential to divide the American people. It is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with all perspectives being considered and addressed. The future of public land management in the United States hangs in the balance, and it is essential that the American people’s concerns are heard and addressed.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a significant issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a contentious issue that has the potential to divide the American people. It is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with all perspectives being considered and addressed. The future of public land management in the United States hangs in the balance, and it is essential that the American people’s concerns are heard and addressed.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a significant issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a contentious issue that has the potential to divide the American people. It is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with all perspectives being considered and addressed. The future of public land management in the United States hangs in the balance, and it is essential that the American people’s concerns are heard and addressed.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a significant issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a contentious issue that has the potential to divide the American people. It is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with all perspectives being considered and addressed. The future of public land management in the United States hangs in the balance, and it is essential that the American people’s concerns are heard and addressed.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a significant issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a contentious issue that has the potential to divide the American people. It is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with all perspectives being considered and addressed. The future of public land management in the United States hangs in the balance, and it is essential that the American people’s concerns are heard and addressed.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a significant issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a contentious issue that has the potential to divide the American people. It is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with all perspectives being considered and addressed. The future of public land management in the United States hangs in the balance, and it is essential that the American people’s concerns are heard and addressed.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a significant issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a contentious issue that has the potential to divide the American people. It is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with all perspectives being considered and addressed. The future of public land management in the United States hangs in the balance, and it is essential that the American people’s concerns are heard and addressed.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a significant issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a contentious issue that has the potential to divide the American people. It is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with all perspectives being considered and addressed. The future of public land management in the United States hangs in the balance, and it is essential that the American people’s concerns are heard and addressed.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a significant issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful debate. It is essential that all perspectives are taken into account and that the American people’s concerns are addressed. The future of public land management in the United States is at stake, and it is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

The potential sale of public lands to foreign entities is a contentious issue that has the potential to divide the American people. It is crucial that the debate is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with all perspectives being considered and addressed. The future of public land