[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 103 (Thursday, June 16, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOVERING AMERICA'S WILDLIFE ACT, H.R. 2773

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2022

  Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, as a sportsman, I have long been a 
supporter and cosponsor of the Recovering America's Wildlife Act 
(RAWA).
  This bipartisan legislation aims to promote and enhance Virginia's 
and our nation's conservation efforts and ensure the health of fish and 
wildlife across the U.S. RAWA would provide dedicated funding for the 
implementation of state fish and wildlife agencies' action plans and 
complement the American System of Conservation Funding, which is the 
financial contributions of hunters, anglers, target shooters, and 
boaters through excise taxes and related user fees, to ensure healthy 
populations of fish and wildlife for future generations to enjoy.
  These conservation efforts could include reintroduction of imperiled 
species, conserving and restoring important habitat, fighting invasive 
species and disease, and more. This would significantly reduce the 
number of species in decline and would ultimately prevent these species 
from needing protections afforded under the Endangered Species Act. 
Restoring fish, wildlife, and their habitats is an effective way to 
restore critical natural infrastructure, create resilient habitats and 
communities, create jobs, and is an issue of national importance that 
has no political affiliation.
  Unfortunately, I was not able to support H.R. 2773 on the House floor 
(Roll No. 267) because of changes to the bill text and failed attempts 
to address spending offsets after the Natural Resources Committee 
reported the bill on June 9, 2022. The bill that came to the floor 
contained substantial differences than the original introduced version 
of H.R. 2773. Additionally, the Majority failed to work with 
Republicans to address spending offsets and include a sunset provision.
  I still support the original intent of RAWA to support State and 
tribal conservation efforts to restore wildlife. I look forward to 
Senate action to advance these goals while addressing the concerns of 
Natural Resources Committee Republicans and bill cosponsors that arouse 
when this legislation was considered on the House floor.

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