The U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 5 approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) that would reauthorize and revise several conservation programs for wildlife species and their habitats.
“Having grown up along Lake Erie, protecting the Great Lakes and the wildlife in the area, has always been one of my top priorities in Congress,” said Rep. Joyce, co-chair of the International Conservation Caucus. “With the passage of my bill in the House, we are one step closer to ensuring that our children and grandchildren will inherit a world rich in biodiversity.”
The House advanced the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization (WILD) Act, H.R. 5009, to the U.S. Senate, which received the bill for consideration on Feb. 6. The Senate is already considering the identical S. 2395, introduced on July 19, 2023, by U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Thomas Carper (D-DE).
If enacted, the measure would reauthorize several conservation programs through fiscal year 2028 and revise several programs, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, as well as programs that provide financial assistance for African elephants, Asian elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, great apes, and marine turtles, according to the congressional record bill summary.
Rep. Joyce sponsored H.R. 5009 on July 7, 2023, alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and five other original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY).
“In the over 30 years since its inception, the Multinational Species Conservation Funds have been an incredibly successful tool in strengthening global wildlife conservation, helping conserve our planet’s most iconic and beloved wildlife species,” said Rep. Dingell. “I’m glad to see the WILD Act pass in the House to ensure we can continue this important work to protect these species for generations to come.”
The World Wildlife Fund supports the measure.