(UnitedVoice.com) – House Republicans recently took on several bills related to conservation. Lawmakers signaled they aren’t allowing President Joe Biden’s policies to go into effect without a fight. One policy they took issue with was a ban on lead bullets and tackle.
On April 30, the House voted 214 to 201 to block Biden’s ban on lead ammunition on federal lands or water. The US Fish and Wildlife Administration (USFWS) announced the prohibition on this type of ammunition last year. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) sponsored HR 615, a bill to block the administration’s ban.
Wittman gave a speech on the House floor about the legislation, pointing out that many people who support the ban don’t fish or hunt. He said those people “don’t know what the heck they’re talking about” and that the president’s ban “isn’t based in science.”
People who have never gone hunting or fishing don't know what the heck they're talking about.
The Biden administration’s effort to ban lead ammo and tackle is ridiculous and isn’t based in science.
My Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act will ensure federal agencies… pic.twitter.com/hz6EZxmt5A
— Rep. Rob Wittman (@RobWittman) April 30, 2024
Several Democrats crossed the aisle to vote with Republicans on the legislation. Those lawmakers included Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Robert Garcia (D-CA), Donald Davis (D-NC), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Mary Peltola (D-AK), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), and Jared Golden (D-ME).
Three Republicans — Reps. Vern Buchanan (FL), Matt Gaetz (FL), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) — voted against the legislation.
In addition to the lead ammo bill, Republicans voted 209 to 205 on HR 764, a bill to remove the gray wolf from the federal endangered species list. The bill, introduced by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), argued the gray wolf population has recovered, and lawmakers were “celebrating the success story of the Endangered Species Act.” She said she was also standing “in defense of our farmers and our ranchers.”
Democrats objected to the legislation and warned that they were still in danger of extinction if lawmakers got rid of the federal protections. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) pointed out that states that already delisted the wolves have seen overhunting.
Both bills are likely to fail in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
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