Lame-duck session could include lands bill, report says

During its lame-duck session this month and next the Senate may take up a public lands bill that would create several new national parks, national monuments, wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas.

The prospect of consideration of such an omnibus measure, and its passage, is uncertain.

According to a report in the New York Times, it is not clear that the leadership of the House of Representatives would agree to pass the bill without committee consideration in that chamber.

The package would also have to compete with several other priorities in the Senate.

The bill may also include provisions to improve protection of ocean resources and expand marine research and fisheries protections.