[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 120 (Monday, July 14, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H3224-H3225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
WETLANDS CONSERVATION AND ACCESS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2025
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2316) to amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration
Act to provide that interest on obligations held in the Federal aid to
wildlife restoration fund shall become available for apportionment at
the beginning of fiscal year 2033.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2316
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Wetlands Conservation and
Access Improvement Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. AVAILABILITY OF INTEREST ON OBLIGATIONS HELD IN
FEDERAL AID TO WILDLIFE RESTORATION FUND.
Section 3(b)(2)(C) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife
Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669b(b)(2)(C)) is amended by
striking ``2026'' and inserting ``2033''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hoyle)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.
General Leave
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 2316, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arkansas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2316, the Wetlands
Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025.
This bill is sponsored by Representative Hurd of Colorado, and it
would ensure that the interest from unallocated Pittman-Robertson funds
continue to go to North America Wetlands Conservation Act, or NAWCA.
NAWCA is one of the most successful conservation programs
administered by the Federal Government and has proven to be invaluable
all over the country as well as in my home State of Arkansas.
Over 100,000 people visit Arkansas each year to hunt waterfowl in the
pristine flyways of The Natural State. Across North America, NAWCA
projects have conserved nearly 34 million acres of wetland habitat for
migratory waterfowl.
Funds generated under Pittman-Robertson come from excise taxes on the
sale of hunting equipment and firearms. Various State and wildlife
agencies, as represented by the Association of Fish & Wildlife
Agencies, are on record supporting this approach, further confirming
its viability and effectiveness.
I commend my colleague from Colorado (Mr. Hurd) for being a champion
for sportsmen and -women, and I thank him for his work on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
The Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025 would
extend critical wetlands conservation funding through 2033.
Many of my constituents live and breathe wetlands conservation.
Whether you are a duck hunter on the river or a birder exploring the
coastal marshes or a family counting on clean water and flood
protection, wetlands deliver for everyone.
Since 1937, the Pittman-Robertson Act has created successful
conservation models where hunters and sportsmen support wildlife
restoration through excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and archery
equipment.
{time} 1630
Currently, the interest earned from these funds supports wetlands
protection through 2026, and this bill ensures that funding continues
uninterrupted through 2033.
This is conservation funding that works. It is user funded, results
driven, and focuses on protecting habitats that benefit all Americans.
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act has helped to protect
millions of acres of wetlands and grasslands across North America.
I commend Representatives Hurd and Elfreth for their bipartisan
leadership in advancing this proven funding mechanism and ensuring that
future generations inherit healthy wetlands and thriving wildlife.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2316,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hurd), the lead sponsor on the bill.
Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman for
yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 2316,
the Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025.
This bipartisan legislation ensures that the interest earned on
unallocated Pittman-Robertson funds will continue to support wetlands
restoration through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act for
years to come.
For nearly a century, the Pittman-Robertson Act has stood as one of
the most successful conservation funding models in the world. It works
because sportsmen and sportswomen pay a dedicated excise tax on
firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. That money is then
invested in habitat restoration, public access, and in hunter
education.
Since 2004, interest generated from these funds has added an average
of nearly $11 million per year to support wetland and waterfowl
conservation across North America. That funding is leveraged by
nonprofit and State partners, often doubling or tripling the Federal
investment, delivering high-impact results.
This bill is about safeguarding that model. It is about making sure
that the dollars contributed by sportsmen and sportswomen continue to
be put to work by conserving the wetlands that sustain wildlife,
outdoor access, and rural economies, including in places like
Colorado's San Luis Valley, where thousands of acres of wetlands
benefit from these funds.
There is no better conservationist than the American sportsman, and
this legislation honors their legacy by protecting the very lands and
waters that they have long fought to preserve.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman and the staff of the House
Committee on Natural Resources for working with my office to get this
bill introduced. I thank my colleague from across the aisle,
Representative Elfreth, for co-leading this legislation with me. I also
thank all of the organizations who are supporting this effort.
Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask my House colleagues to join me in
supporting this commonsense, bipartisan bill.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support
this really great legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, by passing this commonsense legislation,
the House will ensure that we can continue conserving vital waterfowl
habitats for years to come.
This is important for sportsmen and -women who depend on healthy
wetland habitats for hunting, fishing, and other forms of wildlife-
centered recreation. H.R. 2316 is a win for conservation and the
sportsmen and -women communities alike. NAWCA has proven to be a very
successful program.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2316.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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