HB5392, titled the Northern Arizona Protection Act, would nullify Presidential Proclamation 10606, which created the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona. The bill states that the proclamation would have no force or effect, effectively undoing the monument designation made under the Antiquities Act.
The bill also would bar future establishment or expansion of national monuments within the area generally depicted by the 2023 monument map unless Congress expressly authorizes such action. In practical terms, the measure would shift control over monument designation in this area away from presidential proclamation authority and back to Congress.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would directly invalidate the existing Grand Canyon-area national monument designation and remove the associated federal land withdrawal from mineral entry. It would also limit future executive action in the same area by requiring express congressional authorization for any new or expanded monument designation there. The measure would affect federal land management, conservation protections, and potential mineral development interests in northern Arizona, particularly on lands associated with the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints monument.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and sponsorship, the measure appears to reflect support from members who oppose the monument designation and favor congressional control over land-use decisions. No committee transcript or vote record is available here, so there is no documented broader debate or recorded vote sentiment in the provided materials. The introduction by multiple Republican members suggests the bill is aligned with a deregulatory or anti-monument position.
Contention
The central point of contention is the use of the Antiquities Act and presidential authority to create national monuments without direct congressional approval. Supporters of the bill likely view the monument as an overreach that restricts land use and mineral access, while opponents would likely argue that the monument protects culturally and environmentally significant lands tied to tribal and conservation interests. The bill’s restriction on future monument designations in the same area is also likely to be controversial because it would limit executive flexibility and could be seen as preemptively constraining conservation protections.
Commemorating and celebrating the extraordinary contributions of the late Honorable Raúl Grijalva, honoring his legacy of service, dedication, and unwavering advocacy for the people of Arizona and indigenous communities across the country.