S-31-119
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sponsored by Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)
What it does
This bill would formally designate the mountain and surrounding area at Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming, at specified coordinates, as "Devils Tower." It also directs that any existing federal law, map, regulation, or document referring to this site be treated as referring to "Devils Tower."
Who benefits
Wyoming state officials and the bill's sponsors who sought formal confirmation of the existing common name; federal agencies (such as the National Park Service) that gain a clear, uniform reference name across records, avoiding ambiguity in legal and administrative documents.
Who is hurt
No group is materially harmed by this designation. Some Native American tribes and advocacy groups have historically sought to rename the site "Bear Lodge" or similar names reflecting indigenous heritage, and this bill would formally foreclose that alternative by codifying "Devils Tower" in federal law.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue the bill simply codifies the name by which the site has been known since President Theodore Roosevelt designated it the first U.S. national monument in 1906, providing legal clarity and consistency across federal maps, regulations, and documents. They contend it protects a long-standing, widely recognized name from future administrative renaming efforts.
Opponents argue
Opponents, including some Northern Plains tribes, argue the name "Devils Tower" stems from a mistranslation of indigenous names like "Bear Lodge" and that codifying it in federal law forecloses ongoing efforts to restore a name more respectful of Native American cultural and spiritual significance. They contend Congress should not lock in a colonial-era name before consulting further with affected tribal nations.