Bruce Westerman: “as we wrap up today on this final RMP, I include in the Record this GAO report that found that the RMP is subject to the…”

“as we wrap up today on this final RMP, I include in the Record this GAO report that found that the RMP is subject to the CRA. U.S. Government Accountability Office, Washington, DC, June 25, 2025. Matter of U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management--Applicability of the Congressional Review Act to North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan File B-337175 DIGEST The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued the North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan (North Dakota RMP). The North Dakota RMP replaced the 1988 North Dakota Resource Management Plan and provides directives and guidance for the management of BLM-administered lands across North Dakota. The Congressional Review Act (CRA) requires that before a rule can take effect, an agency must submit the rule to both the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as the Comptroller General. CRA adopts the definition of ``rule'' under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) but excludes certain categories of rules from coverage. We conclude that the North Dakota RMP meets the APA definition of a rule, and no CRA exception applies. Therefore, the North Dakota RMP is a rule subject to CRA's submission requirements.”