Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (February 26, 2016) –Today the U.S. House passed with a bipartisan vote H.R. 2406, the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act.

The bill ensures that Americans are better able to access public lands for hunting, fishing, and other recreation. The bill ensures states can set up public shooting ranges on public lands. It also limits EPA authority to regulate bullets, angling, and other hunting equipment.

Western Caucus Chairman Cynthia Lummis (WY-At large) worked with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to amend the bill to restore the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s decision to delist the grey wolf in the Western Great Lakes region and the state of Wyoming.

Western Caucus member Rep. Doug Collins (GA-09) led a successful effort to secure Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) reforms to ensure transparency in attorney fees reimbursement when an individual wins litigation against the federal government.

Chairman Lummis and Rep. Collins issued the following statements in response:

“I am proud of the legislation we passed this week to support sportsmen’s opportunities across America,” said Chairman Lummis. “This bill sets the standard that public lands are to remain open for public use. The bill also restores the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s science-based decision to delist the gray wolf in Wyoming and the Western Great Lakes from the Endangered Species Act. The bill declares the state-led conservation victory that turns over management of the gray wolf to the states. I also congratulate Rep. Collins’ on his bipartisan, common sense provision to ensure transparency in EAJA.”

“Where the federal government is spending money, Congress needs to exercise oversight to ensure it is being done the way the law requires,” said Rep. Collins. “I am glad to see my bill, the Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act, included as a part of the SHARE Act. In Georgia, agriculture is a major part of our economy. Unfortunately though, farmers and ranchers are often the targets of activist groups looking to use litigation to advance their own agenda. The Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act, which passed by voice vote in the House earlier this year, reinstates needed transparency and accountability measures to ensure that the law is helping farmers, ranchers, retirees, veterans, and small businesses as intended.”

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