Biden appointees who have worked for environmental groups must recuse themselves from pending business.

Republican lawmakers are urging political appointees to recuse themselves from pending business due to "conflicts of interest" concerns, as they have already announced roles in outside environmental organizations next year.

The Congressional Western Caucus, a group primarily comprised of Republicans, wrote to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Tuesday and demanded that the agency reveal individuals who plan to join an environmental non-governmental organization (ENGO) and recuse themselves from any pending business in their current government role. The caucus aims to represent the interests of rural America, as stated on its website.

Tracey Stone-Manning, President Biden's BLM director, has announced that she will become the president of The Wilderness Society, an environmental group that opposes mining and drilling on public lands after the administration ends.

The letter expressed concern about the conflict of interest that arose due to the competing missions of the individual's current and future jobs, despite not being surprised by her career move.

The new position of Stone-Manning at the government agency poses a conflict with the "objectives and practices" of The Wilderness Society, as argued in the letter.

"The Wilderness Society has been imposing policies that prioritize preservation over multiple use, resulting in economic hardship for those living near and relying on public lands in the American West for four years."

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., and Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., who led a letter to Planet Chronicle Digital on Tuesday, stated that BLM should not prioritize its interests over those of the public.

"BLM's mandate to manage America's public lands fairly is at odds with the agenda of extreme environmental groups who want to restrict access to these lands. Newhouse has joined other politicians in demanding that political appointees at the agency recuse themselves from official business if they have accepted future positions at ENGOs, as this presents a conflict of interest."

The letter was signed by Sens. John Barrasso, Steve Daines, and Mike Lee, as well as Reps. Doug LaMalfa, Western Caucus executive vice chair, and Ryan Zinke.

BLM did not respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment by press time.