Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Passes U.S. House Committee

Would Deliver $50 million to Texas if Signed Into Law

Environment Texas

AUSTIN — The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee passed the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA, H.R. 2773) on Wednesday. Introduced by lead sponsors Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan and Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska—and cosponsored by Texas Representatives Allred, Fletcher, McCaul, Veasey, and Vela—the bill would provide over $50 million to Texas to fund projects that protect iconic Texan species and habitats.

Texas has previously had great success in restoring endangered and threatened species. At a time when one-third of the fish and wildlife species in the United States are at risk of becoming threatened or endangered, RAWA aims to replicate past state-level conservation victories when it comes to restoring species before they are on the brink of extinction. Although not exceptionally glamorous, Johnston’s frankenia, a Texas shrub, recovered after being placed on the endangered species list.The success of this shrub illustrates how, even in a state where 95% of land is privately owned, conservation success stories can happen. Conservation requires collaboration, and RAWA will help facilitate this. Iconic Texas species, like the ocelot, horned lizard, and even monarch butterfly will all greatly benefit from this this bill. 

RAWA also builds on the success of the Great American Outdoors Act, which Environment Texas championed as well, by creating a broad, bipartisan coalition of support. More than 1,000 diverse groups including environmental organizations, hunter and angler groups, outdoor recreation retailers, and state and federal wildlife agencies have pledged their support for the bill.

The bill is ready for a full House vote but has not yet passed the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Following the markup, Environment Texas Conservation Associate Seth Billingsley issued the following statement: 

“Our state’s fish and wildlife need protection, and they need it now. Destroyed habitats, invasive species, climate change and pollution have all contributed to a biodiversity crisis, and while the Endangered Species Act has done its job by keeping species from going extinct, we need to do more for the species not at immediate risk of extinction. Texas dramatically needs the resources to effectively implement proactive conservation efforts to protect those species, and passing the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act helps do exactly that.”