Blunt, Heinrich’s Recovering America’s Wildlife Act gains significant bipartisan momentum

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) of 2021 introduced by U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Martin Heinrich (N.M.) is gaining bipartisan momentum. The bill now has 29 cosponsors who are calling for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The landmark bipartisan bill will be among the largest, most significant investments in wildlife and habitat conservation.

“The broad, bipartisan support for this bill demonstrates how important wildlife and habitat preservation are to states across the nation,” said Blunt. “Missouri is no exception, with some of the best hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation in the country. I’m encouraged by the growing support we have for the bill and hope to see it considered by the Environment and Public Works Committee soon.”

“Protecting America’s fish and wildlife habitat means conserving the creatures we love before they ever become imperiled,” said Heinrich. “After all, our children deserve to inherit the full breadth of American wildlife, from bumble bees to bison, that we know today. This legislation will make that possible. I’m pleased to have so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle joining Senator Blunt and me in this effort.”

Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to remove 23 species from the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants due to extinction.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will invest in proactive, on-the-ground conservation work led by states, territories, and Tribal nations to support the long-term health of fish and wildlife habitat all across America. These science-based strategies would restore populations of species with the greatest conservation need.

Blunt and Heinrich’s legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (NC), John Boozman (AR), Angus King (ME), Lindsey Graham (SC), Richard Burr (NC), Jerry Moran (KS), Rob Portman (OH), Tammy Duckworth (IL), Marco Rubio (FA), Bob Casey (PA), Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Ben Ray Luján (NM), Jacky Rosen (NV), Alex Padilla (CA), Roger Marshall (KS), Debbie Stabenow (MI), Kyrsten Sinema (AZ), Roger Wicker (MS), Kevin Cramer (ND), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Mark Kelly (AZ), Tommy Tuberville (AL), Chris Coons (DE), Susan Collins (ME), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Jon Tester (M), and Deb Fischer (NB).

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is supported by over 1,500 organizations representing state fish and wildlife agencies, sportsmen and women, conservation groups, and industry associations and businesses.