Why is Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) seeking to strip presidential powers from his party’s most prominent leader, Donald Trump? That’s the question I can’t help but ask as an Air Force veteran, a proud Nevadan and one of the congressman’s constituents. 

His newly proposed legislation, the so-called Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act, aims to gut the Antiquities Act — a law that presidents from both parties have used since 1906 to protect our nation’s most iconic and treasured landscapes.

For more than a century, the Antiquities Act has been a bedrock of American conservation. It’s one of the few tools available for swiftly protecting our country’s cultural, historical and natural treasures. 

Since it became law, nine Republican and nine Democratic presidents have used it to create or expand more than 160 national monuments. In his first term, President Donald Trump used it to protect Camp Nelson, honoring African American soldiers who fought for freedom in the Civil War. And let’s not forget, the law was signed by Teddy Roosevelt, one of the greatest Republican leaders in our history.

Amodei wants to upend all that by requiring congressional approval for future monument designations in Nevada. This is not a small change — it’s a major rewrite of how we protect our public lands. It’s baffling why he would choose to limit the president’s ability to act decisively, especially given how vital public lands and outdoor recreation are to Nevadans.

Let’s talk about what these lands mean to us. Nevada’s national parks and monuments — such as Basin and Range, Gold Butte, Avi Kwa Ame and Tule Springs Fossil Beds — don’t just preserve history and wildlife. They bring in tourists, hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts who spend money in our communities. 

According to the National Park Service, Great Basin National Park alone generated $15.4 million in local spending last year, and Tule Springs added another $4 million. That’s money supporting small businesses, creating jobs and fueling our local economy.

Beyond economics, these lands are deeply personal. I take great pride in having fought to protect my homeland, and for veterans like me, they offer a place to heal. There’s something about the peace and vastness of Nevada’s open spaces that helps us reconnect after serving our great country. These lands are where we find solace, whether it’s hiking with our families, fishing with friends, or simply breathing in the quiet. They’re part of our recovery, our renewal and our sense of belonging.

Amodei claims this legislation is about “local control.” But let’s not kid ourselves. Every single national monument in Nevada was designated after years of bipartisan local advocacy, including the latest, Avi Kwa Ame. Tribes such as the Fort Mojave, outdoor recreation enthusiasts and regular Nevadans pushed for decades to see that land protected. The idea that these decisions are somehow being made in Washington, D.C., without input from the people who live here is just plain false.

This isn’t the first time Amodei has gone after the Antiquities Act. Back in 2017, he tried to undermine it with the Nevada Land Sovereignty Act in response to the creation of the Basin and Range National Monument. Now he’s at it again, teaming up with Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT) to take power away from the president and put it in the hands of Congress — a body that struggles to get much of anything done these days.

Nevada deserves better than this. Public lands are not a partisan issue; they’re an American issue. They’re about preserving our heritage, boosting our economy and giving people — especially veterans and military families — places to find peace. Amodei’s bill is a step in the wrong direction and it’s out of touch with what Nevadans want. Poll after poll shows overwhelming bipartisan support for protecting our public lands.

So I’ll ask again: Why would Rep. Amodei — a Republican representing a state where public lands are our lifeblood and that voted to return President Trump to the White House — want to strip powers from a Republican president? It’s a question every voter in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District deserves to ask him. And it’s a question I hope he’ll answer before it’s too late.

Eileen Bonner is a U.S. Air Force veteran and Northern Nevada resident.

The Nevada Independent welcomes informed, cogent rebuttals to opinion pieces such as this. Send them to [email protected].