The first good news of 2021 is already in the books. The Senate voted 81-13 on New Year's Day to override a presidential veto of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). We are happy to see this turn of events. After President Trump vetoed the NDAA on December 23, many of us were concerned. The NDAA includes language that maintains both the Fallon Naval Air Station and the Nellis Test and Training Range at their current size for the next 25 years, stalling the military takeover of public lands in Nevada.  

This was the first time Congress has successfully overridden a veto during the current administration. And their timing couldn't be more perfect for the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. The Air Force's proposed expansion would have been detrimental to wildlife, like the desert bighorn sheep, who call the refuge home. The Air Force will continue their plan of bombing our beloved Desert Refuge unless wilderness protections are granted as we have proposed. We will continue this campaign to protect the Desert National Wildlife Refuge and we look forward to you joining with us. Stay tuned to the Friends website and channels for updates. #DontBombTheBighorn 

A broad coalition of conservationists, Native Americans, sportsmen and women, elected officials and others are celebrating the Congressional vote today that denies the U.S. military its long sought-after expansions of two major facilities in Nevada, at the Fallon Naval Air Station and the Nellis Test and Training Range.

In passing the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Congress instead approved language that maintains both facilities at their current size for the next 25 years. All six members of the Nevada Congressional delegation voted in favor of the NDAA with no military expansions.

The Desert National Wildlife Refuge dodged a proverbial bullet in July but permanent protection is the only way to save it from the Air Force. In a sneaky move in early July, the Air Force went around the Nevada delegation to Rep Rob Bishop (UT) to get an amendment approved as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would give the military control of the western portion (840,000 acres) of the wildlife refuge.