Real bill currently in Congress  c/o  S/119/4412

A bill to prohibit the implementation of a Land Protection Plan for Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge.

Latest action (2026-04-28): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

The Framers

“Founders’ Verdict”

CONSTITUTIONAL

Confidence 1.00

Synthesis

Congress possesses plenary authority under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 to make needful rules and regulations respecting federal property, including national wildlife refuges, allowing prohibition of specific administrative plans without executive overreach or infringement on state powers.

Hamilton YES

Congress possesses plenary authority to dispose of and regulate property belonging to the United States, including national wildlife refuges which constitute federal territory. A bill prohibiting the implementation of a specific administrative plan for such property falls squarely within this power, as it constitutes a needful rule respecting federal lands. This legislative directive ensures federal supremacy in managing national domains, preventing executive overreach without constitutional warrant. Such specificity in legislation aligns with the energetic exercise of enumerated powers essent…

Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 Federalist No. 23
Jefferson YES

The Congress possesses authority to regulate property belonging to the United States, including wildlife refuges situated thereon, and may thus prohibit the execution of a particular administrative plan for such lands. This exercise falls within the enumerated power to make needful rules respecting federal property, without encroaching upon powers reserved to the States or the people. Strict construction confines federal action to delegated powers, and herein Congress directs its own domain without overreach.

Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 Amendment X
Madison YES

The Congress possesses explicit authority to regulate property belonging to the United States, including wildlife refuges established thereon. A bill prohibiting the implementation of a specific administrative plan for such property constitutes a needful regulation within the enumerated powers, preventing executive overreach while maintaining legislative primacy over federal lands. This aligns with the careful demarcation of powers to avert factional abuse through centralized control.

Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 Federalist No. 43
Marshall YES

The proposed bill falls squarely within the enumerated powers of Congress to regulate federal property. The Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge constitutes property belonging to the United States, over which Congress possesses plenary authority to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations. Prohibiting the implementation of a particular Land Protection Plan is a needful regulation respecting such property, as it directs the management thereof in a manner consistent with legislative prerogative. This exercise of authority is both necessary and proper to the execution of Congress's cons…

Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 (Necessary and Proper Clause, as expounded in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819))

What should pass

“AI Consensus Solution”

No solution yet

Daily synthesis runs at 06:00 UTC. This bill's consensus draft will appear on the next pass.

← Back to the Republic