U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R) has introduced new legislation aimed at preventing future federal efforts to expand land control in West Texas, framing the proposal as a defense of private property rights and local decision-making.
The bill, titled the "No Federal Expansion Designation in West Texas Act," seeks to prohibit federal agencies from implementing land acquisition or conservation plans similar to a previously withdrawn proposal that would have significantly expanded the footprint of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the region.
"West Texas is vital to economic growth and energy for Texans, and decisions about its land should belong to Texans, not Washington bureaucrats," said Cruz. "This bill will protect our communities from federal overreach, prevent land grabs that threaten jobs, and limit energy and agricultural development."
Jodey Arrington (R) has introduced companion legislation in the House, where it has already advanced through the House Natural Resources Committee.
Rep. Arrington criticized prior federal land proposals, stating that earlier plans sought to dramatically expand a wildlife refuge footprint in West Texas.
"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," he said.
The legislation responds to a 2024 Land Protection Plan developed by the Fish and Wildlife Services that would have allowed the federal government to acquire up to 700,000 acres in Texas and New Mexico, through purchases or conservation easements tied to the expansion of Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. That plan was withdrawn in 2025, but Cruz's bill aims to ensure similar efforts cannot be revived in the future.
Supporters of the measure include the Texas Farm Bureau and the American Stewards of Liberty, both of which argue that land stewardship should remain in the hands of local farmers and ranchers.
"Texas farmers and ranchers are the best stewards of their land, not the federal government," said Texas Farm Bureau President Russel Boening, who emphasized that codifying protections into law would provide long-term certainty for landowners.
The No FED in West Texas reflects ongoing tensions between federal conservation efforts and state-level concerns over land use and property rights. As Congress considers the proposal, the debate is likely to center on balancing environmental priorities with economic development and local control.
