House GOP introduces alternative wildlife conservation bill

By Michael Doyle | 02/21/2024 01:30 PM EST

The legislation rivals the long-pending “Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.”

Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.).

House Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) at the Capitol in December. Francis Chung/POLITICO

House Republicans on Tuesday went it alone with the introduction of a long-awaited wildlife conservation bill that’s not as ambitious as many lawmakers previously hoped for.

Capping months of behind-the-scenes work, Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and 18 colleagues joined in offering up what they call the “American Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act.”

The bill was introduced as H.R. 7408 during a pro-forma session of the chamber. The House isn’t back for regular business until next week.
H.R. 7408

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Westerman’s office initially declined to make the text public until Congress returns, but the chair voiced his strong support for the new legislation.

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