©2025 League of Conservation Voters
1976 Scorecard Vote
191
193
46
Issues
Public Land Policy (HR 13777). The vote is on the Mink amendment to reduce the power of Congress to veto proposals to withdraw certain parcels of public land from mining. Under the 1872 Mining Law, any individual or company could stake a claim and eventually take title to public lands containing minable materials. To prevent wholesale destruction of U.S. public lands, the Department of the Interior has developed procedures to withdraw scenic or otherwise valuable land to prevent such claims and to protect it from mining. The bill would weaken Interior’s power by making withdrawals subject to Congressional veto if the affected land area exceeds 5,000 acres; Mink’s amendment allows a veto only when the land area exceeds 25,000 acres. July 22, 1976. Rejected 191-193. “YES” is the correct vote.
©2025 League of Conservation Voters