Mount Cristo Rey Protection Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9739 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 9739

To prohibit the exercise of the right of eminent domain with respect to
                           Mount Cristo Rey.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 16, 2026

 Ms. Escobar introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

To prohibit the exercise of the right of eminent domain with respect to
                           Mount Cristo Rey.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Mount Cristo Rey Protection Act''.

SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON USE OF EMINENT DOMAIN.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) Mount Cristo Rey is a mountain that bears deep
        religious and cultural significance located in Sunland Park,
        New Mexico.
            (2) Mount Cristo Rey is a holy site, and a pilgrimage
        destination visited by over 40,000 people every year.
            (3) A 29-foot statute of Jesus Christ was constructed at
        the peak of Mount Cristo Rey and dedicated in October 1939.
            (4) Every year, faithful from Texas, New Mexico, and the
        state of Chihuahua, participate in pilgrimages on Good Friday
        in the spring and on the Feast of Christ the King in the fall.
            (5) Mount Cristo Rey is owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese
        of Las Cruces.
            (6) The Federal Government's attempt to seize the land
        around Mount Cristo Rey for the purposes of border wall
        construction infringes upon the religious liberty of the
        Catholic Church and all visitors to the holy site.
    (b) Prohibition With Respect to Mount Cristo Rey.--No Federal funds
may be used to litigate United States of America v. 14.259 Acres of
Land, More or Less, Situated in Dona Ana County, State of New Mexico,
No. 2:26-cv-01458 (D.N.M. filed May 7, 2026) or for any other action
relating to eminent domain with respect to Mount Cristo Rey in Sunland
Park, New Mexico.
    (c) Prohibition of Certain Security Meausures.--No Federal funds
may be used to construct, install, operate, or maintain roads, fencing,
vehicle barriers, security lighting, cameras, sensors, or related
structures on or near Mount Cristo Rey in Sunland Park, New Mexico.
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