Sportsmen's Act Fouls Out

In February, the House of Representatives passed the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act. A companion bill, the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2014, was then introduced in the Senate. AWI rallied opposition to this bill, as it would have substantial and direct adverse impacts on wildlife, public health, and existing conservation efforts. It would weaken protections offered by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Toxic Substances Control Act, and would interfere with the authority of federal agencies responsible for managing natural resources. Further, it would limit the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate hazardous substances, expand hunting and fishing on public lands, and permit importation of the carcasses of polar bears that were taken after the threat to this species was well known but before the Endangered Species Act listing of the bears as “threatened” took effect. Fortunately, the Senate version got caught in a crossfire of amendments and was subsequently filibustered. It was pronounced D.O.A. when it failed to garner the 60 votes needed to advance. Unfortunately, this bill has been introduced numerous times, and we expect to see it rise again at some later date.