Senate committee presses nominee Burgum on national monuments, housing and federal land use

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee members questioned Doug Burgum on the Interior Department's handling of national monuments, local consultation, and how federal land could be used to ease housing shortages in Western states.

Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, opened the topic by saying expansions of monuments such as Bears Ears and Grand Staircase “exceeded the scope of the law and disregarded local input,” and asked Burgum to work with him “to try to fix that current mess.”

Why it matters: Nearly one-fifth of U.S. land falls under Interior jurisdiction and federal land management affects energy development, housing, recreation and tribal relations in Western states. Senators from Western jurisdictions warned that monument decisions made without local consultation can restrict access and development, and pressed Burgum for commitments to restore “multiple use” approaches where appropriate.

Burgum, introduced on the record as governor of North Dakota and the nominee for Interior secretary, responded that the Antiquities Act “was intended” for relatively small archaeological protections and said he looked forward to “working with you, and particularly in the area of local consultation” (first response at hearing segment 4369.91). He emphasized striking a balance between protection and local access and said land exchanges and other partnerships “may provide appropriate solutions.”

On housing, Senator Lee pointed to housing shortages in states where federal land predominates and cited his Houses Act as a possible framework. Burgum said land swaps—trading state land for private parcels to create developable sites—and partnerships between federal, state and local governments could “help address the housing” shortage in places with 50–70% federal land ownership.

Committee members repeatedly framed these land-use questions as twofold: safeguard scientifically or culturally important places such as national parks and monuments, while identifying federal lands where multiple use or negotiated transfers could support local housing or economic needs. Burgum and several senators pressed for stronger state and local consultation before large-scale designations or restrictions are imposed.

The hearing included multiple invitations for Burgum to visit affected states and local sites; he accepted and specifically invited committee members to the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Medora, North Dakota.

Ending: Senators signaled continued oversight if Burgum is confirmed, and indicated they expect him to commit to structured consultation with states, tribes and local stakeholders before large federal land designations or management shifts.