A Democratic senator blocked an effort by Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson to remove federal protections for gray wolves Tuesday.
S. 1306, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, would have stripped protections for wolves under the Endangered Species Act. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) blocked Johnson’s bid to pass the bill by unanimous consent.
During a floor speech, Johnson said there were too many wolves in Wisconsin, threatening livestock and pets. A House version of the bill, H.R. 845, already passed the chamber in December, by a 211-204 vote.
“We get report after report of families, farmers in Wisconsin who are bearing the burden … of the fact that the gray wolf is protected and populations are really at the maximum level right now,” Johnson said.
