H.R. 839 · Where this bill is now
Waiting for a House vote
Approved by committee Jan 8, 2026; no House vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryBlocks federal wildlife refuge expansion in West Texas
This bill stops the Department of the Interior from carrying out a 2023 plan that would expand the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Under that plan, the department could purchase land or conservation easements on up to 700,000 acres in the Southern High Plains region along the Texas-New Mexico border.
How it affects you
This directly affects landowners in that region of West Texas and New Mexico who might otherwise see their land purchased or restricted through conservation easements as part of the refuge expansion. If you live outside that area, this has no direct impact on you.
Read the official summary (Reported to House, Jan 8, 2026)
No Federal Expansion Designation in West Texas Act or the No FED in West Texas Act
This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from finalizing, implementing, administering, or enforcing its 2023 final land protection plan and environmental assessment for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. The plan allows Interior to expand the refuge and purchase lands or acquire conservation easements on up to 700,000 acres of land in the Southern High Plains region along the Texas-New Mexico border.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 839
A BILL
No FED in West Texas Act
Sponsor: Rep. Jodey C. Arrington (R-TX-19) · Introduced Jan 31, 2025 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · 2 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jan 8, 2026: “Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 374.”