Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.

H.J. Res. 140, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of Public Land Order No. 7917, was presented to the President on April 17, 2026. This resolution, if signed into law, will nullify the Bureau of Land Management's 2023 order that withdrew approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota, from mineral and geothermal leasing for 20 years. The original order aimed to protect the Rainy River Watershed, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and the 1854 Ceded Territory of the Lake Superior Chippewa from potential adverse effects of exploration and development. This bill does not authorize or appropriate any specific funding amount. Instead, it removes a regulatory restriction, thereby opening up previously protected federal lands for potential economic activity. The mechanism is regulatory relief, allowing private companies to pursue mineral and geothermal exploration and development through leasing agreements with the government, rather than direct government spending or grants. Structural winners from this resolution would be companies involved in mineral extraction and geothermal energy development that operate or seek to operate in the specified regions of Minnesota. While no specific companies are named in the bill, any publicly traded companies with existing operations or strategic interests in mineral resources (e.g., copper, nickel, platinum group elements) or geothermal energy in the Great Lakes region could benefit from increased access to these lands. Conversely, environmental conservation groups and industries reliant on the preservation of the natural landscape in this area would be negatively impacted. The legislative process for H.J. Res. 140 has progressed rapidly, moving from introduction in January 2026 to being presented to the President in April 2026. The House considered the bill under a closed rule, indicating a streamlined path. The next and final step is for the President to sign or veto the resolution. If signed, it becomes law immediately.