Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2591) to amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to modernize the funding of wildlife conservation, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

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H.R. 2591, introduced by Representative Austin Scott of Georgia, is a bipartisan bill which I cosponsored that amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to modernize the funding for wildlife conservation.

The Pittman-Robertson fund, which relies on excise tax fees paid by hunters and recreational shooters, has been a driving force for wildlife habitat preservation in the United States for nearly 80 years, contributing over $10 billion in that time. The fund is also responsible for important hunter education programs, as well as the construction and maintenance of public shooting ranges.

The long-term viability of the Pittman-Robertson fund is at risk, however, because of the diminishing number of hunters and recreational shooters nationwide. Recent surveys have shown a decline of over 2 million hunters since 2011. This has largely been caused by growing urbanization and suburbanization, which has made it more difficult for Americans to participate in these activities.

This legislation will give States additional flexibility to use their Pittman-Robertson dollars to fund programs to recruit, retain, and reactivate hunters and target shooters. Empowering the States with this added flexibility will help promote safe and responsible hunting and shooting, while also ensuring this American system of wildlife conservation funding remains strong into the future.

Congressman Scott should be commended for his work on this bipartisan measure. I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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