Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 764 - Trust the Science Act

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

(House Rules)
(Rep. Boebert, R-CO, and 25 cosponsors)

The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 764, which would direct the Secretary of the Interior to reissue a final rule that removed Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for the gray wolf in 45 states. H.R. 764 would override and short-circuit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service's) science-based administrative rulemaking processes and wildlife recovery planning. The Service has delisted several different populations of gray wolves and recently determined that listing gray wolves in the Western United States is not warranted at this time. Currently, gray wolves are delisted in the Northern Rocky Mountains (Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and portions of Oregon, Washington, and Utah), listed as Threatened in Minnesota, and listed as Endangered in the rest of the Lower 48 states. Successful delisting reflects significant collaboration and dedication by the Federal government, Tribes, citizens, and State wildlife agencies committed to responsible and science-based wildlife management. To support nationwide recovery for gray wolves and durable status determinations, the Service is developing a first-ever nationwide gray wolf recovery plan.

The transparent and science-based process prescribed by the ESA, with public input, is the best path for adding or removing species from the ESA. If enacted, H.R. 764 would undermine America's proud wildlife conservation traditions and the implementation of one of our nation's bedrock environmental laws. Therefore, the Administration strongly opposes this bill.