Sen. Cruz Introduces Bill to Prevent Federal Land Overreach in West Texas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the No FED in West Texas Act to prevent future administrations from implementing plans that would expand federal control over land in Texas. Sen. Cruz said, “West Texas is vital to economic growth and energy for Texans, and decisions about its land should belong to Texans, not Washington bureaucrats. This bill will protect our communities from federal overreach, prevent land grabs that threaten jobs, and limit energy and agricultural development. I'm proud to join Rep. Arrington in advancing it.” Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19) and advanced through the House Natural Resources Committee. Rep. Arrington said, “The Biden Administration finalized a plan to buy up 30% of the land in the US by 2030, a significant part of which was expanding a wildlife refuge in West Texas by an outrageous 10,000%. I applaud the Trump Administration’s decision to withdraw the Biden Administration's unnecessary and overreaching expansion of federal lands. I'm proud to have led the fight to defend our tax dollars, private property rights, and way of life by advancing legislation to prohibit and defund this federal land grab.” This bill is supported by the Texas Farm Bureau and the American Stewards of Liberty. Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said, “Texas farmers and ranchers are the best stewards of their land, not the federal government. The Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) proposal to dramatically expand federal designations in West Texas originated during the previous administration and threatened to significantly expand the federal footprint on private land. While the Trump Administration’s Fish and Wildlife Service withdrew that plan, Sen. Ted Cruz’s ‘No Federal Expansion Designation in West Texas Act’ helps ensure it cannot be revived. Codifying this protection into law provides long term certainty for landowners and safeguards private property rights. Texas Farm Bureau urges Congress to pass this legislation and appreciates Sen. Cruz for leading this effort.” American Stewards of Liberty Executive Director Margaret Byfield said, “Senator Cruz is doing exactly what Texans need their elected leaders to do: make sure this federal land grab never comes back. The Muleshoe expansion plan was a sweeping attempt to put hundreds of thousands of acres under federal influence in a part of Texas where land, livelihoods, and local stewardship are inseparable. Senator Cruz’s bill would provide lasting protection for West Texas landowners, farmers, ranchers, and rural communities by making clear that Washington cannot revive this kind of overreach with the stroke of a pen. “American Stewards of Liberty is grateful for Senator Cruz’s leadership, and we also appreciate Congressman Jodey Arrington’s relentless work to stop this plan in the House. This has been a sustained fight by local leaders, lawmakers, and grassroots Texans who understood from the beginning what was at stake. Congress now has the opportunity to put this issue to rest for good and ensure the people closest to the land remain the ones with the strongest voice over its future.” Read the bill text here . BACKGROUND In 2024, the Biden administration’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) finalized a Land Protection Plan that would have allowed the agency to buy private land or acquire conservation easements from willing sellers on up to 700,000 acres in Texas and New Mexico to expand the conservation footprint of Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. In July of 2025, the Trump administration’s FWS withdrew the final Land Protection Plan for the refuge. The No FED in West Texas Act would prevent future administrations from implementing any land-protection plans that are substantially similar to the Biden-era withdrawn proposal, thereby ensuring long-term protection of private property rights in Texas.