North American Wetlands Conservation Extension Act of 2014

Mr. President, in a few minutes the Senate will vote on whether to invoke cloture on the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014-- legislation I have introduced with my friend and colleague from Alaska, Senator Lisa Murkowski.

At a time when Washington is stuck in political gridlock, I am proud to have partnered with Senator Murkowski to develop this sportsmen's package that is cosponsored by 46 of the Senators here in this Chamber--almost half of this body--19 Democrats, 26 Republicans, and 1 Independent.

We actually put politics aside to get behind a bill that benefits tens of millions of hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts across our country--a bill that protects our outdoor traditions for future generations and ensures the outdoor recreation economy can continue to support jobs and local communities in our States nationwide.

This kind of widespread bipartisan support has been virtually unheard of in these days. And not surprisingly, the list of organizations that support the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act is equally long and diverse. More than 40 organizations that span the ideological spectrum have actually endorsed this bill.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that six letters and statements of support that I have received on the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act be printed in the Record.

I also want to share some excerpts from these letters and statements.

This one is from the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act ``is simply the most important package of measures for the benefit of sportsmen in a generation. This package of pro-sportsmen legislation will promote, protect, and preserve our cherished outdoor activities of hunting and the shooting sports.''

The CEOs of the National Wildlife Federation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Izaak Walton League of America, and Trout Unlimited, in one letter, wrote: The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014 ``includes valuable provisions to conserve fish and wildlife habitat and expand public access for hunters and anglers. We know that time on the floor of the Senate is extremely limited and precious, but we believe that this bill is worthy of expedited floor consideration. It is a rare and splendid occurrence that such a large and diverse coalition of hunting, shooting, angling and other conservation organizations are so united behind a bill.''

Then a letter from Jeff Crane, who is president of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. Senator Murkowski and I both have worked very closely with Jeff Crane, who is president of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. In his letter he said:

We thank Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Senator

Hagan and CSC member Senator Murkowski for introducing this

bipartisan package of legislation that includes provisions

vital to protecting our hunting and angling traditions in the

U.S., which the CSC and organizations within the sportsmen's

community have been working on for years.

From the Wilderness Society, in their letter:

On behalf of our 500,000 members and supporters, I am

writing to express our support for the Bipartisan Sportsmen's

Act of 2014. We believe that hunting and fishing are

important uses of our public lands, and this legislation

would advance several vital programs which would both

safeguard sportsmen's access to world class hunting and

angling opportunities while simultaneously supporting many

programs that protect the high quality fish and wildlife

habitat upon which sportsmen rely.

That was from the Wilderness Society.

The women of Safari Club International wrote to Senator Murkowski and me. This letter was dated in April.

We are delighted to learn you are working together to

introduce bipartisan pro-hunting and pro-conservation

legislation. Your ongoing effort to introduce bipartisan

legislation is a monumental step in breaking the deadlock

that hunters have felt in previous legislative efforts.

The CEO of Ducks Unlimited said:

More than 140 million Americans participate in outdoor

recreation activities, including hunting and fishing. DU

appreciates the bipartisan effort of this bill in bringing to

light the economic impact and importance of sports men and

women to the United States. We are also grateful for its

inclusion of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act,

which is an ideal model for successful private-public

partnerships.

I agree. We have an opportunity today to take action on a bill that advances critical priorities for a wide range of sportsmen and conservation groups across the country, bringing those two groups together.

I am proud of the package Senator Murkowski and I crafted and put together. I also recognize that Members on both sides of the aisle have ideas on how to strengthen this bill.

It was always my hope we could take up, debate, and vote on sportsmen-related amendments to the bill, including amendments on some gun issues that are important to sports men and women in my State and across the country. I am disappointed we were not able to reach an agreement to do so.

However, we should not let partisan politics get in the way of passing a good bill that already has strong bipartisan support. It is fiscally responsible, and it is endorsed by more than 40 groups and stakeholders across the United States--6 of whom I have just made statements about from letters we have received.

So here is what I am going to ask all of my colleagues to do today: If you support this bill, vote for this bill. Outdoor recreation activities are a way of life in States across the country. Just as importantly, they are the lifeblood of many of our local communities. These activities actually contribute $145 billion to our economy every year, and they support over 6 million jobs in this country. This is big business--and especially at a time when we are looking at jobs and the economic recovery.

So at a time when we are desperately trying to help the job market and get our economy back on track, I urge my colleagues to please put politics aside and vote to move forward with this balanced bipartisan bill that boosts our economy, protects our outdoor traditions, and preserves the special places in this country where we hunt, where we fish, where we enjoy the outdoors, and to do this for our future generations.

Mr. President, I rise today in support of the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act, S.2363. This legislation aims to support outdoor recreation by improving access for anglers, hunters, and recreational shooters. It would also advance conservation by reauthorizing programs that protect wildlife species and habitats, wetlands, migratory birds, and waterfowl.

Hunting, angling, outdoor recreation, and conservation are important economic contributors and support jobs in communities across the country, including many across the State of Maine. The Federal Government is an important partner in preserving our natural treasures, enhancing recreation, promoting economic growth, and helping to protect the environment, which are all components in sustaining our Nation's outdoor heritage and traditions.

While I understand the concerns that have been raised about the need to strengthen the bill's conservation measures, on balance S.2363 would benefit hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and conservation. One provision would promote hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on Federal public lands, preventing arbitrary closures. Another would help States construct and maintain public shooting ranges by allowing a larger proportion of Federal funding to be used for this purpose. Additionally, the bill would reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which leverage funding for critical wetlands, migratory birds, native fish and wildlife species, and habitat projects. A permanent authorization of electronic duck stamps, the proceeds of which go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, is also included in the bill.

I am also pleased to be the sponsor of a bipartisan amendment that highlights the many important contributions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund over the last 50 years. In addition to calling for the reauthorization of this landmark conservation program, the amendment calls for full, permanent, and dedicated funding, making good on the promise that was made to the American people in 1964 to take the proceeds from natural resource development and invest a small portion in conservation and outdoor recreation. I am deeply concerned about the continued annual diversion of these funds from their original conservation intent to other purposes. We will not balance our Nation's books today by shortchanging our future.

Upholding Maine's strong tradition of outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing, and protecting access to the great outdoors for the enjoyment of all Americans continue to be priorities of mine. I also strongly support conservation programs and actions to preserve wildlife and natural habitats. The people of Maine have always been faithful stewards of our environment because we understand its tremendous value to our way of life. The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act would have a positive impact on hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and conservation, and I support its passage.