Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 615 - Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2023

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

(House Rules)
(Rep. Wittman, R-VA, and 50 cosponsors)

The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 615, which would place stringent limits on the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture's ability to ban or regulate the use of lead ammunition or fishing tackle on the Federal lands and waters they manage. By preventing Federal agencies from acting in response to the best available science, changing environmental conditions, and evolving threats, H.R. 615 would impede their ability to achieve the missions of wildlife conservation and public health and safety. The Administration is committed to maintaining high-quality and accessible hunting and fishing opportunities on Federal lands and waters for all sportsmen and women and celebrates the important role sportsmen and women play in protecting our Nation's wildlife resources. The Administration also recognizes that lead exposure presents substantial risk to wildlife and human health. Peer-reviewed science has linked lead to declines in waterfowl numbers for decades; evidence of the negative effects of lead on fish and wildlife has only grown. Since 1991, hunters have been required to use non-lead shot to hunt waterfowl on Federal, state, and private lands.

H.R. 615 would unnecessarily interfere with the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture's ability to use the best available science to appropriately manage lead use on Federal lands and waters to protect wildlife, public health and safety. Therefore, the Administration strongly opposes this bill.