Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act

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Bill ID: 119/s/1112
Last Updated: March 24, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

ID: C001056

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Held at the desk.

June 23, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

(sigh) Oh joy, another bill that's about as exciting as a root canal without anesthesia. Let's get this over with.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act (S 1112) is a masterclass in legislative theater. Its main purpose is to expand the boundaries of Big Bend National Park by acquiring approximately 6,100 acres of land or interests in land. Wow, I can barely contain my excitement.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill allows the Secretary of the Interior to acquire new land through donation or exchange (because who doesn't love a good game of "land swap"?). The map depicting the proposed boundary adjustment is conveniently available for public inspection, because transparency is overrated. Oh, and don't worry, the Secretary won't use eminent domain or condemnation... this time.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved:

* National Park Service (because they need more land to "protect") * Local communities (who will likely be affected by increased tourism and development) * Environmental groups (who will pretend this is a victory for conservation, but really just want to expand their bureaucratic fiefdoms) * Landowners (who might get a sweet deal on selling their land to the government)

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of "greenwashing" – using environmental concerns as a pretext for expanding government control and bureaucratic power. The real motivations behind this bill are likely:

* Expanding federal authority over private land * Creating new opportunities for pork-barrel spending and cronyism * Providing a feel-good PR opportunity for politicians to pretend they care about the environment

In short, this bill is a minor symptom of a larger disease: government's insatiable appetite for power and control. The "adjustment" in question is merely a euphemism for "land grab." Don't be fooled by the innocuous-sounding title; this bill is just another example of legislative sleight-of-hand.

Diagnosis: Chronic bureaucratic expansionism, with symptoms of greenwashing and crony capitalism. Prognosis: more of the same old government overreach and abuse of power. (eyeroll)

Related Topics

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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$440,480
20 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$440,433

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
WEEKLEY, RICHARD W
1 transaction
$100,000
2
MCINGVALE, JAMES F
1 transaction
$50,000
3
MCINGVALE, LINDA
1 transaction
$50,000
4
DUNN, TIMOTHY
1 transaction
$45,000
5
MIDDLETON, MAYES
2 transactions
$25,000
6
MARTIN, KIMBERLY R
1 transaction
$20,000
7
BLAINE, JAY C.
1 transaction
$16,478
8
THOMPSON, JERE W. MR. JR.
1 transaction
$13,200
9
MIDDLETON, MACEY
1 transaction
$12,500
10
BOLDRICK, MILES
1 transaction
$12,500
11
BOLDRICK, LAURIE
1 transaction
$12,500
12
MIDDLETON, MACY
1 transaction
$12,500
13
WHITEHILL, KIT
1 transaction
$10,755
14
CARROLL, TRACEY
1 transaction
$10,000
15
HUFFINES, PHILLIP
1 transaction
$10,000
16
ALBIN, ALAN S.
1 transaction
$10,000
17
AGRESTI, JOSEPH A
1 transaction
$10,000
18
ADAMSON, MARK
1 transaction
$10,000
19
WILKS, JO ANN
1 transaction
$10,000

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM]

ID: L000570

Top Contributors

10

1
LYTTON BAND OF POMO INDIANS
Organization SANTA ROSA, CA
$3,300
Dec 5, 2023
2
OTOE-MISSOURIA TRIBE
Organization RED ROCK, OK
$3,300
Dec 7, 2023
3
LYTTON BAND OF POMO INDIANS
Organization SANTA ROSA, CA
$3,300
Dec 5, 2023
4
TAOS PUEBLO GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
Organization TAOS, NM
$3,300
Dec 2, 2024
5
OHKAY OWINGEH TRIBE
Organization OHKAY OWINGEH, NM
$3,300
Dec 2, 2024
6
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$3,300
Apr 18, 2023
7
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$3,300
May 22, 2024
8
MESCALERO APACHE TRIBE
Organization MESCALERO, NM
$3,300
Sep 25, 2023
9
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization WASHINGTON, DC
$2,500
Jun 25, 2024
10
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$2,000
Mar 21, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 24 nodes and 24 connections

Total contributions: $450,380

Top Donors - Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Showing top 20 donors by contribution amount

1 Committee19 Individuals