Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2013

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 231) to reauthorize the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, S. 231, the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act, was introduced by Senator Rob Portman on February 7, 2013.

S. 231 would extend the Multinational Species stamp for an additional 4 years, through December 31, 2016.

The Multinational Species stamp was initially signed into law in 2010 in a bill introduced by then-Representative Henry Brown of South Carolina. Profits from this stamp will go to support programs designed to help to protect African and Asian elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, great apes, and marine turtles. Since its introduction, the stamp has generated $2.5 million in proceeds that have been divided equally among the conservation programs.

By supporting this legislation, the Postal Service will be better able to sell its existing stock of 75 million Save the Vanishing Species stamps in further support of these conservation efforts. And with that, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support passage of S. 231.

At this point, I will yield back the balance of my time as well.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, S. 231, the Multinational Species Conservation Fund Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act, would require the United States Postal Service to continue issuing the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp for 4 more years.

The conservation fund is a small initiative, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, that supports a variety of conservation efforts that benefit several species, including great apes, rhinoceroses, tigers, and marine turtles. Because semipostal stamps cost more than typical stamps, they allow members of the public to donate to a particular cause encouraged by the stamp. Passage of this bill is a way to raise revenue for the Multinational Species Conservation Fund without increasing its appropriations.

We have no objections to the passage of S. 231, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 503, S. 231.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.