....(The Congress shall have Power To): exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards and other needful Buildings;-And other needful Buildings.
I'm not saying that the feds owning 80% of Nevada is a good thing. But the Constitution opens the door to the federal government owning enclaves within the states. Unless and until the scope of the Property Clause is defined, I don't foresee a substantial change in the amount of property controlled by the fedgov.
Here’s the text of the second clause of Section 3 of Article IV:
“The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.”
When States were formed from “Territory...belonging to the United States”, the Congress, as recorded in the Enabling Acts for particular States, Congress was not required to nor did it necessarily give all the land within the new States to the newly admitted States.
For those who want to “give the land back to the States”, you can’t give them back something they never had.
(I won’t necessarily be ignoring you, I just have to leave the house now.)