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From the deserts of New Mexico to the mountains of Montana, America’s public lands are central to our way of life, offering space to hike, hunt, pray, fish, gather, and connect with our natural heritage.
By Levi Gwaltney
Sources: Library of Congress and related News Releases
The fight for our public lands is not new; however, the nature of their defense has certainly evolved over the past century. What once was defensible with a few choice lyrics in a protest song, now requires an act of Congress… more specifically, a bipartisan caucus.
A Song and Composer (Not Yet) Lost to Time
Woody Guthrie, the composer of “This Land Is Your Land,” was one of the most influential voices in the entire American folk music tradition. His personal and musical styles were deeply influenced by his childhood in rural Oklahoma during the Great Depression years, which led him to a hobo life-style, a powerful dislike of greed, and a deep appreciation for the diversity of America’s everyday folk.
In February 1940, Guthrie wrote “This Land is Your Land” in reaction to Irving Berlin’s song “God Bless America.” Guthrie heard Berlin’s song repeatedly while he traveled cross-country and became increasingly annoyed that it glossed over the lop-sided distribution of land and wealth that he was observing and had experienced as a child. Although Guthrie was no statistician his observations accurately reflected the fact that, even in the depths of the Depression, nearly 20 percent of the nation’s wealth rested with one percent of its population.
Guthrie originally entitled his song “God Blessed America for Me,” a line repeated at the end of each verse. By the time he first recorded the song with Cisco Houston, in April 1944, he changed the lines to “This land was made for you and me,” which invokes the title by which his song has been known ever since — “This Land Is Your Land.” Amazingly Guthrie and Houston recorded over 160 songs during that prolific set of recording sessions. Since then “This Land Is Your Land” has been re-recorded by numerous vocal artists including: Bing Crosby, Judy Collins, Harry Belafonte, Fred Waring, Pete Seeger, and the Limeliters.
Public lands were lauded and protected throughout the 20th century in no small part by the common enjoyment of a song about a common understanding by common folk of all political persuasions.
A Change in America
As America marched headlong into the 21st century, the ideas of what was “common” faded into the background. What one group felt to be patriotic became another group’s battle cry. Constituencies have been carved out of our nation like so many cuts of beef at the carneceria with representatives bickering over which cuts are “prime” and which ones are “offal”.
Fast forward, a common tactic to seize power has picked up tempo in efforts to carve up our public lands–like so many constituencies. In response, New Mexico’s Congressional Delegation low key admitted that, as a group, they are unable to carry a tune, submitting a letter to a tone deaf Interior Secretary, Doug Burgum.
The Letter from New Mexico’s Congressional Delegation:
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Note: Las Cruces Digest has not confirmed the singing abilities (or lack, thereof) possessed by New Mexico’s Congressional delegation. The previous statement regarding their tune-carrying ability (individually or in harmony) was simply a rhetorical turn of phrase, and not intended to mischaracterize their individual musical talents in any way.
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A Letter from New Mexico was Not Enough, So…
Our U.S Representative, Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), looked beyond his native ensemble and put a new band together. With the help of Republican Representative, Ryan Zinke of Montana, the Public Lands Caucus was formed.
On May 22, 2025, the newly created group was able to promote their first victory on behalf of the American people. Through their diligence and willingness to work across the aisle, an amendment to the Reconciliation Bill intended to sell off public lands was defeated.
Here is the statement from Representative Vasquez’s office:
From the deserts of New Mexico to the mountains of Montana, America’s public lands are central to our way of life, offering space to hike, hunt, pray, fish, gather, and connect with our natural heritage. But today, these shared lands are under threat—from chronic underfunding and staffing shortages to worsening wildfires and a maintenance backlog across our national parks and forests.
In response, Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) and Representative Ryan Zinke (MT-01) came together to found the Public Lands Caucus—a bipartisan group of members committed to protecting access to public lands, expanding recreation opportunities, and ensuring these spaces are preserved for future generations.
As Co-Chairs, Vasquez and Zinke bring a shared passion for public lands from two very different parts of the country—Vasquez, a first-generation conservationist from the borderlands of New Mexico, and Zinke, a Navy SEAL and former Secretary of the Interior from Big Sky Country. Alongside Vice-Chairs Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Chairman Mike Simpson (ID-02), the Caucus bridges rural and urban, East and West, conservationists and sportsmen alike.
Drawing on inspiration from the Roosevelt Arch welcoming visitors to Yellowstone National Park to the vast open spaces of New Mexico, public lands are “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” The Public Lands Caucus will work across the aisle to advance policies for the conservation of and public access to public lands. It’s up to us to pass down this quintessentially American experience to the next generation.
The Caucus works closely with local communities, outdoor recreation leaders, and conservation organizations to ensure public lands remain a unifying force in American life. Click here to see statements of support for the Public Lands Caucus.
Victory for the Public Lands Caucus
Thanks to the work of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus… a dangerous proposal that would have opened the door to selling off thousands of acres of public land was removed from the reconciliation bill. We need to protect access to our public lands, not auction them off. This victory shows what we can accomplish when we stand up for conservation, outdoor recreation, and the communities that depend on our shared lands.
~U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez
Co-Chair, Founding Member of Public Lands Caucus
Founders of the Public Lands Caucus:
- Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) – Founding Member, Co-Chair
- Rep. Ryan Zinke (MT-01) – Founding Member, Co-Chair
- Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06) – Founding Member, Vice Chair
- Chairman Mike Simpson (ID-02) – Founding Member, Vice Chair
Public Lands Caucus Membership List:
The caucus currently has 16 members from both sides of the aisle.
- Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) – Founding Member, Co-Chair
- Rep. Ryan Zinke (MT-01) – Founding Member, Co-Chair
- Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06) – Founding Member, Vice Chair
- Rep. Mike Simpson (ID-02) – Founding Member, Vice-Chair
- Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-25)
- Rep. Chuck Edwards (NC-11)
- Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02)
- Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02)
- Rep. Emily Randall (WA-06)
- Rep. Troy Downing (MT-02)
- Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04)
- Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04)
- Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03)
- Rep. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06)
- Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01)
- Rep. David Valadao (CA-22)
- Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-04)
- Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX-23)
