For Immediate Release: April 30, 2024
Contact: Susan Holmes sholmes@endangered.org  (202) 329-1553
         Tara Thornton tthornton@endangered.org  (207) 504-2705

Bill Removing Federal Protections for Gray Wolves Narrowly Passes the House

Wash, D.C.–In a 209 to 205 vote, today the U.S. House Representatives passed Rep. Boebert’s bill to remove Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves across the continental United States and Mexico. The move takes place only a few weeks after a Wyoming man publicly abused and killed a young gray wolf. 

“This move by extremists in Congress to push forward an anti-wolf, anti-science bill is irresponsible and emboldens cruelty towards gray wolves,” said Susan Holmes, Executive Director. “The recent torture and killing of a young gray wolf in Wyoming shows how critical the Endangered Species Act protections are for the survival of this species core to our country’s natural heritage.”

This bill (H.R. 764) would reinstate a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) delisting decision issued by the Trump administration that was overturned in court. Several members of Congress–including Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Jared Huffman (D-CA)–spoke in opposition to the bill. The White House also issued a statement of opposition to the bill. 

 “Rep. Boebert’s bill undermines the integrity of the Endangered Species Act by forcing the reinstatement of a scientifically indefensible delisting rule,” said Jewel Tomasula, Policy Advisor for the Endangered Species Coalition.  “Wildlife decisions should be made by scientists, not politicians.” 

The Endangered Species Coalition joined over 100 organizations in urging Members of Congress to vote no on Rep. Boebert’s bill. The bill will need to pass the Senate and receive President Biden’s signature before it would become law.

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