Republican governors were more willing to entertain the idea but emphasized any sales would need to be directed by local and state leaders.

A Republican-sponsored proposal before Congress to mandate the sale of federal public lands received a mixed reception Monday from the governors of Western states. A budget proposal from Utah Republican Sen.

Democratic and Republican governors of Western U.S. states on Monday opposed what they called the proposed wholesale selloff of millions of acres of public land as part of President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill.