Maloy, Wittman Applaud House Passage of Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act

Washington, March 18, 2026 | Quinn Jenssen ((202) 738-0845)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Western Caucus Chair Celeste Maloy (UT-02) and Representative Rob Wittman (VA-01) released the following statements after today's 215-202 vote in the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 556, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025.

“The House just sent a clear message; hunters and anglers won’t be left behind. Americans must be allowed to continue their traditions on public lands without unnecessary restrictions, while still being good stewards of wildlife,” said Chair Celeste Maloy.

“As a lifelong hunter and recreational fisherman, I understand the importance of balancing conservation with preserving access for sportsmen,” said Representative Rob Wittman. “The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025 achieves that balance by ensuring future generations of hunters and anglers can continue to participate in these activities while promoting responsible stewardship. By preventing executive overreach in the future, this legislation is critical to preserving access for sportsmen and women who rely on traditional lead fishing tackle and ammunition, and it reinforces the use of sound science in decision-making. I am pleased that the House has passed this legislation, and I look forward to seeing it advance to the Senate.”
 
Legislative Digest
 
H.R. 556, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025
Sponsor: Representative Rob Wittman (VA-01)
Co-sponsors: Scott (GA-08), De La Cruz (TX-15), Calvert (CA-41), Zinke (MT-01), Stauber (MN-08), Norman (SC-05), McClintock (CA-05), Thompson (PA-15), Finstad (MN-01), Murphy (NC-03), Newhouse (WA-04), Walberg (MI-05), Moore (AL-01), Biggs (AZ-05), Fulcher (ID-01), Bost (IL-12), Hageman (WY-AL), Boebert (CO-04), Cline (VA-06), Carter (GA-01), Tiffany (WI-07), Balderson, (0H-12), Messmer (IN-08), Fischbach (MN-07), Fitzgerald (WI-05), Fleischmann (TN-03), Gosar (AZ-09), Owens (UT-04), Carter (TX-31), Grothman (WI-06), Fallon (TX-04), Hurd (CO-03), Babin (TX-36), Moore (NC-14), Estes (KS-04), Fry (SC-07), Mann (KS-01), Weid (WI-08), Downing (MT-02), Hamadeh (AZ-08), Crank (CO-05), Crenshaw (TX-02), Pfluger (TX-11), Van Duyne (TX-24), Steube (FL-17), Jackson (TX-13), Miller (OH-07)
Summary: Prohibits the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from banning the use of lead ammunition and tackle on federal land or water. This bill will override the 2023 FWS rule that would have prohibited the use of lead ammunition and tackle in specified national wildlife refuge areas, beginning in September of 2026. Lead ammunition and tackle is more affordable and accessible for the average sportsman, allowing a greater number of hunters and fishers to partake in the sport affordably, and it has never been shown to be harmful to wildlife populations.

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