Problem Solvers Caucus’ Endorsed ‘America’s Wildlife Act’ Passes House

WASHINGTON, DC – The Problem Solvers Caucus’ endorsed bill, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, a bill to promote and enhance our nation’s conservation efforts and ensure the long-term health of fish and wildlife throughout the country, has passed the House. 

Rep. Dingell and Co-Chair Rep. Fitzpatrick brought the bipartisan, bicameral bill to the Caucus for endorsement, which garnered the support of more than 75 percent of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.

This bill will provide the most significant generational investment in wildlife and habitat conservation through dedicated annual support that will enable states, territories, and tribes to take proactive steps to bolster conservation efforts of endangered or threatened species of wildlife and plants.

The bill is supported by over 100 groups, including the National Wildlife Federation, American Fisheries Society, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, National Audubon Society, National Wild Turkey Federation, Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, The Conservation Fund, The Wildlife Society, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

"Our country's biodiversity of wildlife, fish, and plants is increasingly endangered with each passing year. The Recovering America's Wildlife Act will protect and increase conservation efforts for species and their habitats nationwide," said Congressman Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Co-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus. "I am proud to see the bipartisan passage of this legislation in the House and hope that the Senate will join us in acting swiftly and proactively on this issue."

"Protecting our wildlife and open spaces should be something that everyone — Democrats and Republicans — can come together around, so that we can fully protect and conserve our land, air, and water,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I’m proud that the Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act — to help restore our nation's most endangered wildlife and plant species — and helped pass it through the House. Now, I'm urging the Senate to act quickly to help protect America's wildlife."

“The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act’s innovative, bipartisan provisions makes historic investments in on-the-ground conservation to address pressing wildlife conservation needs,” said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12). “With approximately one-third of our nation’s wildlife species at-risk, this legislation is needed more than ever to safeguard America’s environmental heritage and preserve opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hunting and angling. I’m proud that the Problem Solvers Caucus has endorsed the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act on this bill without delay.”

“From the White Mountains to our Seacoast, New Hampshire is home to a variety of diverse wildlife that we must protect,” said Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-1). “That’s why I was proud to co-sponsor the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and help pass it in the House last week. It is our duty to be responsible stewards of our planet, and I will continue working to protect our lands and wildlife for generations to come.”

“The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would dedicate significant federal funding to recover fish and wildlife before more regulatory and potentially costly measures are imposed,” said Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20).  “This legislation would not only help save federal spending and possibly prevent burdensome regulations, it’s also a proactive proposal that will encourage wildlife agencies at the local level to protect and conserve thousands of species of fish, wildlife, and plants.”

“In Michigan, we grow up on the Great Lakes. They define who we are, just as they define our state’s borders. I'm proud Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives passed this critical legislation, including my amendment to help protect the Great Lakes from invasive species like Asian carp,” said Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-5). “By protecting the Great Lakes, we support Michigan jobs and preserve our way of life.”

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would:

• Fund conservation efforts for more than 12,000 species of wildlife and plants in need of assistance by providing $1.3 billion in dedicated annual funding for proactive, on-the-ground efforts across the country.
• Accelerate the recovery of 1,600 U.S. species already listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
• Ensure wildlife recovery efforts will be guided by the Congressionally-mandated State Wildlife Action Plans, which identify specific strategies to restore the populations of species of greatest conservation need.
• Provide Tribal nations $97.5 million annually to fund proactive wildlife conservation efforts on roughly 140 million acres of land.
• Include improvements to ensure funds are appropriately targeted to the areas of greatest need and facilitate additional investments in protecting at-risk plant species.

Read the full text on the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act here.