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Author: Elaine Hurd

NV Dems Slam Mark Amodei For Pushing House Republicans To Sell Pieces of Nevada to Fund Tax Breaks For Billionaires
This is a press release issued on May 8, 2025 by the Nevada Democratic Party.

Nevada Democrats slammed Mark Amodei after he pushed House Republicans to change federal law that ensures that proceeds from federal land sales in Southern Nevada stay in Nevada. As another part of his scheme to cut taxes for billionaires by screwing over working Nevadans, in the dead of the night, Amodei sold out working families and voted to take even more money out of Nevada’s pocket.

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and Congresswoman Susie Lee introduced the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act — a balanced lands solution, meticulously negotiated with and supported by Nevadan local stakeholders, that would enable Clark County to pursue new development responsibly while safeguarding our most precious public lands for conservation and recreation – all while ensuring that proceeds from land sales in Nevada stay in Nevada.

Read more below: 

Las Vegas Sun: Amodei’s public land sale amendment sparks backlash from Nevada Democrats and tribal advocates

Key points:

Nevada’s vast public lands, long a flashpoint in state-federal tensions, could be used to generate federal revenue under an amendment to the GOP’s comprehensive spending package.

The provision put forward by Republican Reps. Mark Amodei of Nevada and Celeste Maloy of Utah would allow the sale of thousands of acres of public lands in the two states. The plan is raising concerns with advocates and Democrats who worry it will disrupt tribal lands, historic monuments and local projects funded through state land purchases.

 The amendment would affect Clark, Washoe, Lyon, and Pershing counties.

His congressional colleagues don’t agree that it’s a “Nevada-centric” pitch. The worry from Nevada Democrats isn’t new; its three House representatives and two senators have been rallying against the budget reconciliation efforts since February for its potential cuts to Medicaid. Now, Amodei’s 33-page amendment builds on those preexisting woes, with the members of Congress’ minority party warning it would disturb the status-quo of land sale money going directly towards Nevada.

“For decades, federal law has ensured that proceeds from land sales in southern Nevada stay in Nevada,” said Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev, in a statement. “Last night’s traitorous maneuver instead would send Nevada’s land proceeds to Washington to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.
 
Lee’s mention of the decades-old practice is about the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, which enables a bargaining process with the Bureau of Land Management and use of that revenue to fund some conservation projects. Use of the act and other land-release initiatives are generally bipartisan issues — with Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, working to release some of over 80% of federally-owned land for the purpose of building affordable housing.

Amodei’s amendment progressed with a 24-19 vote, with Colorado’s Jeff Hurd as the only Republican to join the Democrats in opposition. The measure now faces a full House vote.

Amodei’s office shared maps of federal lands in areas this measure could impact, including one with public land surrounding the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation in northwestern Nevada. For the Native Voters Alliance of Nevada, a nonprofit advancing Native American political interests, Amodei’s amendment would complicate already-difficult land recovery efforts for the tribe. 

“You don’t accidentally mark land for disposal right next to a sovereign nation,” said the organization communications’ associate Jonnette Paddy. “You do that when they’re politically convenient to ignore.”
 
When Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., asked if any of the House members from Clark County — Lee and fellow Democratic Nevada Reps. Dina Titus and Steven Horsford — had been consulted for the legislation, Amodei said no. 

“To basically say to them that they have no say as to what happens with respect to land conveyances in their congressional districts,” Neguse said to Amodei. “I think it is a slippery slope.”

Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., who also condemned the amendment and Amodei’s lack of consultation, said the proposal overrides the agreements from her previous bills, including her Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act. 

The legislation supports the Lovelock Paiute Tribe’s expansion of their Tribal cemetery alongside other protections for management of public lands and ensuring the revenue from land sales stay in Pershing County. 

It hasn’t been heard during this session of Congress, though it’s garnered support from local leaders like Chairman of the Pershing County Commission Joe Crim Jr.

“I am outraged that Congressman Amodei sold out Nevadans in the dead of night by passing a flawed, hastily-drafted proposal,” Rosen said in a statement. “…. I will not support a Washington-drafted proposal that will lead to Nevada losing out on millions of dollars in funding for our local priorities like education and restoration around the Truckee River.” 

While there wasn’t consultation with the Southern Nevada representatives, Amodei said he had been urged to put the amendment forward by the Clark County Commission “on their behalf as a member of the majority in the House.” Clark County said in a statement that it did not support the proposal.  

Tribal Lands Marked for Sale Near Gold Butte & Other Areas

This is a press release issued by Native Voters Alliance Nevada on May 7, 2025

THIS PROPOSED LAND GRAB INTRODUCED INTO THE RECONCILIATION BILL AFFECTS THE VIRGIN AND MOAPA VALLEYS

Tens of thousands of Acres in Clark, Washoe, and Fernley Targeted in Last-Minute Federal Amendment

**CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FEDERAL LAND DISPOSAL MAPS REQUESTED BY REPRESENTATIVES AMODEI AND MALLOY***

NEVADA — Just before midnight, Reps. Amodei (NV) and Malloy (UT) introduced a surprise amendment to a sweeping budget reconciliation bill mandating the sell-off of public lands. The move bypassed standard procedures, limited debate, and appeared timed to avoid public scrutiny. Newly released maps confirm the proposal targets areas near Avi Kwa Ame and Gold Butte, an estimated 12,000 acres in Fernley—including land that borders the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation—and an estimated 15,000 acres in Washoe County. Even more land is flagged as “eligible for disposal” in future federal land management plans.

Taylor Patterson, Executive Director of Native Voters Alliance Nevada, issued the following statement:

“Let’s call this what it is: a coordinated land grab. It was planned behind closed doors, dropped at midnight, and aimed directly at Tribal homelands.

“We’ve seen the maps. This isn’t theoretical. It is targeted. Lands near Avi Kwa Ame and Gold Butte are in the crosshairs. So are scattered parcels across Clark County. In Fernley, the disposal zone pushes right up against the boundary of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, a calculated move that shows how close they’re willing to get.

“These are not excess acres. These are Native lands. And the people advancing this know exactly what they are doing. This is the same story our people have lived through for generations. Erase us, sell what is left, and pretend it was never ours. But it was. And it still is.

“Every inch being sold off was cared for by our people long before this government existed. These lands do not belong to Congress. They belong to the generations who bled, prayed, and survived on them.

“Once land is gone, it is gone. Fences go up. Access disappears. The connection between people and place is severed.

“If you are Indigenous, this is your fight. If you care about public land, clean water, access, or cultural survival, this is your fight too. Because this amendment is not a policy tweak. It is a warning shot. If they can carve up our homelands in silence, they will do it again. And again. Unless we stop them.”

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About Native Voters Alliance Nevada: A rising powerhouse in the Nevada political landscape, Native Voters Alliance Nevada (NVAN) is dedicated to forging a dynamic Native ecosystem and fostering political strength within Indigenous communities. We serve as a resonating platform for urban and Tribal Nation voices, guiding elections, molding legislation, and championing Tribal sovereignty. Join us in our empowering journey and learn more at https://nativevotesnv.org/.

Michele Fiore Escapes Justice

President Donald Trump has pardoned Michele Fiore. That’s right — she will now escape consequences for her federal conviction on six counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She was scheduled to be sentenced on May 14.

Fiore allegedly diverted monies received for her Las Vegas city council campaign, political action committee and her charity. She was accused of lying on her campaign finance reports.

Fiore has maintained her innocence and claimed she was singled out by the so-called “deep state” for her support of Donald Trump and Cliven Bundy. As you may recall, she stood by Bundy during his standoff with the federal government in our area in 2014, and his subsequent trial and acquittal.

Here is the order for a full and unconditional pardon.

El Salvador Prison, Forever?

In an astounding display of contempt for the rule of law, President Donald Trump hosted Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office today said Kilmar Albrego Garcia and others who have imprisoned there by the U.S. government will not be coming back to the United States.

Furthermore, the Trump administration again stonewalled U.S. District Court, Judge Paula Xinis who ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia returned to the United States, backed up by the United States Supreme Court 9 to 0 ruling last week. The government said there was an “administrative error” and Garcia should not have been sent to El Salvador, yet refuse to bring him back.

On March 15, more than 250 Venezuelan and El Salvador men were sent to El Salvador’s CECOT (Terrorism Confinement Center) under the the 1798 Alien Enemies Act because the government said they were gang members of Tren de Agua or MS-13, although none of these men were offered due process or any ability to prove they were not gang members. Now there appears to be no opportunity for any of these men to be released from this foreign prison as our government claims that these are now under the jurisdiction of El Salvador and Bukele made it clear these prisoners were not being released.

And you will find this amazing, Trump indicated that American citizens (“homegrowns”) could meet the same fate.

For a full explanation of what happened in the Oval Office today, watch this post from Meidas Touch. You should be chilled by this — which seems to be the point.

SCOTUS Ruling On Detainee in El Salvador Prison

I have been tracking this story since it broke last week because it is so shocking and is not getting the attention it deserves, among the series of egregious and unlawful actions of this administration.

On March 15, more than 250 Venezuelan and El Salvador men were rushed onto planes and sent to El Salvador’s CECOT (Terrorism Confinement Center) under the auspices of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act because the government deemed them gang members of Tren de Agua or MS-13. The problem is that there was no due process identifying whether any of these men were actually part of a gang. Our government simply decided it was so, based on questionable criteria such as whether they had tattoos, and lawyers for many of these men have been arguing that their clients were unlawfully detained, were not part of any gang, were given no opportunity to plead their case before being sent to El Salvador and are now imprisoned with no judicial process by which they can be released.

Not to mention, U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg ordered that these planes be turned around and brought back to the United States. That order was not obeyed.

Then the case of Kilmar Albrego Garcia came to light. He is a Maryland father with protected status who is married to an American citizen and whose special needs son is an American citizen. The government admitted in U.S. District Court that his detainment was an “administrative error.” Judge Paula Xinis ordered that he be returned. The U.S. government said Garcia and the others are now in the custody of El Salvador and they can’t bring him back. Presumably ever. After all, U.S. Courts do not have jurisdiction in El Salvador.

Last night, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Judge Xinis’ order.

Watch Lawrence O’Donnel’s commentary at the beginning of last night’s show because he puts into perspective the seriousness this case and what it means for the rights of all of us. O’Donnel further explains SCOTUS’ ruling and what the consequences will be if this order is ignored.

(this segment is 18 minutes)

Do You Care About False Imprisonment?

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis told lawyers from the Trump administration to secure the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from a mega-prison in El Salvador because he was falsely imprisoned for being in a Venezuelan gang, as admitted in previous court filings. Garcia had immigration protected status, is married to an American citizen, and has a special needs child who is also an American citizen. He had no criminal record and was employed.

In response, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an email, “We suggest the Judge contact President Bukele because we are unaware of the judge having jurisdiction or authority over the country of El Salvador.” In other words, nope!

Watch this podcast with Tim Miller and Sam Stein of the Bulwark for more details and reaction.

Evil Being Committed in Our Name

If you are not outraged by the suspension of due process for those who have been sent to a prison in El Salvador, you should be. More details are being revealed about those who were detained, shackled and are now incarcerated with no legal representation or contact with their families. They are now in a 3rd world country hell-hole whereby our own government has no say in their treatment. None of us knows what is going on.

A new report has identified another prisoner who is not a gang member but who had legal protected status because he was targeted by gangs in his own country – El Salvador.

The Atlantic has identified Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father who is married to an American citizen, as being sent to the El Salvador prison . He has no criminal record and is a working apprentice in a building trade. Garcia wasn’t even listed on the original manifesto of those being sent to El Salvador.

The details of this article are summarized by Tim Miller of The Bulwark in this video. Watch this.