Bill · H.R. 9739· House(119-HR-9739)
Mount Cristo Rey Protection Act
- Introduced
- 7/16/2026
- Last activity
- 7/16/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Veronica Escobar
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Mount Cristo Rey Protection Act," aims to stop the government from using eminent domain on Mount Cristo Rey. The legislation finds that the mountain is a holy site used for annual pilgrimages by thousands of people. It specifically targets a legal action regarding land in Dona Ana County, New Mexico. The bill prohibits the use of federal funds to litigate that specific case or any other eminent domain actions involving the mountain. Additionally, it restricts federal spending on security structures near the site.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion?+8
The bill protects a holy site and prevents the seizure of land used for religious pilgrimages.
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?+5
The bill protects a pilgrimage site frequently visited by people from the Mexican state of Chihuahua.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+2
The bill preserves the natural and cultural state of Mount Cristo Rey by prohibiting construction.
The opposite
Does this tighten control of the border?-5
The bill restricts federal funds for border-related infrastructure and security measures near the mountain.
Does this give the federal government more power?-3
The bill restricts the federal government's authority to use eminent domain and fund infrastructure at this location.
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?-3
The bill restricts the use of surveillance infrastructure like cameras and sensors near the site.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Religious and Cultural Sites: The bill seeks to prevent the infringement of religious liberty for the Catholic Church and its visitors by prohibiting the seizure of land around the holy site (Section 2, Subsection a).
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Preservation of Pilgrimage Traditions: By stopping the use of eminent domain and security construction, the bill protects the ability of the 40,000 annual visitors to participate in spring and fall pilgrimages (Section 2, Subsection a).
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Prevention of Unwanted Infrastructure: The bill prohibits the use of federal money to build or maintain roads, fencing, lighting, or cameras on or near the mountain, which protects the current state of the site (Section 2, Subsection c).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are listed in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Hispanic Americans+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+2Improves Public Land Management+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power-3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance-3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Religious Freedom+8Improves Border Security-5
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+1
- 7/16/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House