Hunter Nation PRESS RELEASE
Hunter Nation Praises Senator Lee for Withdrawing Public Land Disposal from “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act”
June 30, 2025
MISSION, KS — Hunter Nation, the grassroots voice of the American Hunter, is celebrating a major policy victory after U.S. Senator Mike Lee confirmed he withdrew the controversial language allowing the sale of federal lands from the Senate’s version of the “One Big Beautiful
Bill Act.”
The provision, which would have authorized the sale of Bureau of Land Management parcels across 11 western states, was initially framed as a housing affordability measure but quickly took on a life of its own due to false social media reporting and misinformation.
Hunter Nation began a digital grassroots campaign on Saturday, June 21, and activated its network of hunting and outdoor celebrities, influencers and members across social media platforms and podcasts including posts from its high-profile board members.
“On behalf of hunters everywhere, I’m asking Senator Mike Lee to scrap the public land sale provision in the Big Beautiful Bill. Let’s protect our lands and get this right...” — Ted Nugent, Hunter Nation board member statement on X
Over the next 48 hours, national sentiment turned sharply against the land disposal provision. According to a June 25th report from EyesOver, a public sentiment analysis firm, the opposition
of the land sale provision surged past all other controversial provisions in the bill, including entitlement reform and immigration, resulting in this response from Utah Senator Mike Lee,
“Hunter Nation: You spoke, and I’m listening.” — Senator Mike Lee, statement on X, June 23, 2025
The next day in Washington D.C., Hunter Nation Founder Keith Mark and other board members visited with Congressional leaders and with Senator Lee to discuss the provision and address their concerns. After his meeting with Senator Lee, Hunter Nation Founder and President, Keith
Mark stated:
“Always an honor when Hunter Nation can visit with a true patriot like Mike Lee. We talked about Public Lands, the Wolf issue and other Hunting policy issues! I am 100% convinced Senator Lee will do the right thing on all these issues, just as he always does. A true Patriot.”— Keith Mark, Founder of Hunter Nation statement on X
The unified voice of hunters across the country, combined with the meeting with Hunter Nation’s leadership, culminated in Senator Lee’s public commitment to revise the amendment. Despite his efforts, time ran out and Senator Mike Lee’s office confirmed on Saturday, June 28th in a statement that amendments and important provisions were not able to be secured in the Senate reconciliation process. As a result, the amendment was withdrawn.
Donald Trump, Jr., Board Member for Hunter Nation Foundation posted a statement on X : “Huge win for our public lands! Very grateful for our team at Hunter Nation, where I’m proud to be a board member, for working so tirelessly to get this bill that would have sold off our public lands pulled. I’m also thankful for Senator Mike Lee for being willing to listen and change his mind. Mike is a great friend and while we usually agree on almost everything, this was a rare exception where we didn’t. In Washington once these balls get rolling it’s often hard to change course and it takes a person with great character to do that.”
“Senator Mike Lee worked hard to address our concerns but, due to the constraints of the reconciliation process, time ran out. This was never about politics, it was about protecting something deeper: the freedom to explore, enjoy, and pass down our outdoor heritage. This land belongs to all of us. When access was threatened, we stood firm—not out of partisanship, but out of principle. We refused to back down, and we weren’t alone. The American people stood with us—hunters, anglers, hikers, conservationists, and families united in defense of our shared natural legacy. Hunter Nation will continue to work hard to protect our hunting lifestyle for future generations.”— Rock Bordelon, Chairman of Hunter Nation
Following Senator Lee’s update, Keith Mark added: “I want to thank Senator Mike Lee for listening to the concerns of hunters! What an honor it was that hunters had a seat at the table to work at the highest level on this issue. Hunter Nation will be proud to keep working with Senator Lee and President Trump on issues and policies that directly impact the American Hunter!”
Keith Mark
Founder, Hunter Nation
📧 Info@HunterNation.org
📞 (913) 933-6544 option 2
Kristi Brown
Public Affairs, Hunter Nation
📧 Kristi@HunterNation.org
📞 (901) 848-4560
Hunter Nation is the nation’s leading grassroots hunting advocacy organization that stands for the traditional values of God, Family, Country, Hunting and the Constitution. Hunter Nation works to promote science-based conservation and access to habitat, while preserving our country’s hunting heritage. It was founded and is based in Mission, Kansas.