Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) applauded the passage of his legislation, H.R. 615 – the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, through the House Committee on Natural Resources. This bill, which currently has over 45 cosponsors, would bar the Secretary of Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture from banning the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands unless the ammunition and tackle is scientifically proven to be harmful to the wildlife.

“Proper stewardship of our environment and wildlife wouldn’t be possible without the contributions of our hunters and anglers,” said Congressman Wittman. “Lead ammunition and tackle is accessible and affordable and allows sportsmen and women to not only enjoy their sport, but also play a significant role in our nation’s conservation efforts. I’m pleased to see the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act advance through the Natural Resources Committee, and I look forward to the continued progression of this bill.”

“H.R. 615 is necessary to stop the Biden administration from implementing a radical agenda that continues to hurt our sportsmen and women across the country,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman. “Republican committee members are committed to expanding every American’s right to use our federal lands for hunting and fishing without worrying about burdensome rules and regulations. I thank Representative Wittman for his leadership on this issue and hope to pass his bill through the House soon.”

Background:

Congressman Wittman introduced this legislation in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision to enter into settlement negotiations with activist litigants like the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) over a lawsuit regarding the use of traditional ammunition and lead on over 3 million acres of federal land. The concern over the potential ban of lead ammunition and tackle is due to the fact that lead ammunition is easier and cheaper to make and is more readily available to consumers. Banning its use would make hunting less accessible by increasing the financial barriers for sportsmen and women.

Cosponsors: Reps. Newhouse (WA-04), Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Wagner (MO-02), Bergman (MI-01), Gosar (AZ-09), Guest (MS-03), Hudson (NC-09), Grotham (WI-06), Biggs (AZ-05), Webster (FL-11), Scott (GA-08), Balderson (OH-12), Walberg (MI-5), Moolenaar (MI-02), Stauber (MN-08), Bost (IL-12), Norman (SC-05), Carter (GA-01), Edwards (NC-11), Reschenthaler (PA-14), McClintock (CA-05), Fulcher (ID-01), Rosendale (MT-02), Crenshaw (TX-02), Finstard (MN-01), Stefanik (NY-21), Jackson (TX-13), Murphy (NC-03), Owens (UT-04), Hageman (R-WY), Moore (AL-02), De La Cruz (TX-15), Rutherford (FL-05), Thompson (PA-15), Boebert (CO-03), Donalds (FL-19), Amodei (NV-02), Good (VA-05), Cater (TX-31), Zinke (MT-01), Carl (AL-01), Tiffany (WI-07), Pfluger (TX-11), Harris (MD-01), Rogers (AL-03), Spartz (IN-05), Lamborn (CO-05), and Gonzales (TX-23).