Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Gains Significant Bipartisan Momentum
WASHINGTON (Oct. 7, 2021) - The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) of 2021 introduced by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) is gaining bipartisan momentum. The bill now has 29 cosponsors who are calling for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The landmark bipartisan bill will be among the largest, most significant investments in wildlife and habitat conservation.
“Protecting America’s fish and wildlife habitat means conserving the creatures we love before they ever become imperiled,” said Heinrich. “After all, our children deserve to inherit the full breadth of American wildlife, from bumble bees to bison, that we know today. This legislation will make that possible. I'm pleased to have so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle joining Senator Blunt and me in this effort.”
“The broad, bipartisan support for this bill demonstrates how important wildlife and habitat preservation are to states across the nation,” said Blunt. “Missouri is no exception, with some of the best hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation in the country. I’m encouraged by the growing support we have for the bill and hope to see it considered by the Environment and Public Works Committee soon.”
“Senators Heinrich and Blunt are demonstrating the exact style of collaboration we need to address the wildlife crisis,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “The bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is the most important wildlife-conservation legislation in nearly half a century. We are thrilled that senators from both sides of the aisle recognize this and are supporting this commonsense effort to save species, create jobs all across this great country, and ensure our wildlife heritage thrives for future generations.”
Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to remove 23 species from the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants due to extinction.
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will invest in proactive, on-the-ground conservation work led by states, territories, and Tribal nations to support the long-term health of fish and wildlife habitat all across America. These science-based strategies would restore populations of species with the greatest conservation need.
Senator Heinrich and Blunt’s legislation is cosponsored in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Angus King (I-Maine), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Roger Marshall (R-Miss.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.).
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is supported by over 1,500 organizations representing state fish and wildlife agencies, sportsmen and women, conservation groups, and industry associations and businesses.
A copy of the bill is here.
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