Rep. Cleaver Votes to Protect America’s Wildlife, Secures Nearly $21 Million to Support Conservation in Missouri

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of H.R. 2773, the Recovering America's Wildlife Act (RAWA), which would provide $1.3 billion and amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Act to assist in conserving, restoring, and protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat in Missouri and other states, territories and Tribal lands across the United States. Included in this bipartisan bill, which was cosponsored by Rep. Cleaver, is $20,966,804 for Missouri to help manage fish and wildlife species of greatest conservation need.

"As the world faces the existential threat of climate change, it's important to remember that our planet is also facing a biodiversity crisis—and it's important that Congress take bipartisan action and provide the funding needed for wildlife and habitat conservation that will protect our most endangered species and ecosystems. With the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, that's precisely what we're doing and why I was proud to vote for this bipartisan bill," said Congressman Cleaver. "Missourians have a rich history when it comes to wildlife conservation, and I'm thrilled that I was able to secure nearly $21 million that will go toward protecting Missouri's wildlife, making our conservation efforts more effective and cost-efficient, boosting our outdoor economy, and addressing climate change by building more resilient ecosystems—which will ensure all Missourians and their children's children are able to enjoy Missouri's wildlife as we have."

State, territory, and Tribal governments carry out most wildlife management and conservation through their State Wildlife Action Plans, but those plans rely on consistent, dependable federal funding. While current federal funding sources, like the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Act, are inadequate, the Recovering America's Wildlife Act will provide sufficient funding to meet America's conservation needs.

The Recovering America's Wildlife Act would:

• Protect threatened and endangered species: at least 15% of RAWA funding must be spent on species that are listed under the Endangered Species Act or are considered threatened or endangered under Tribal law.
• Make wildlife conservation more effective and cost-efficient: RAWA funding will help states, territories, and Tribes put conservation measures in place for species before they become threatened or endangered, making species protection less difficult and less costly. RAWA will also provide much-needed funding for non-hunted species.
• Address climate change by building more resilient ecosystems: State Wildlife Action Plans often include habitat restoration projects (e.g., removing invasive species, fighting wildlife disease) that simultaneously benefit forest, watershed, and coastal health. These improvements help make ecosystems more resilient to severe weather events caused by climate change, including wildfires, hurricanes, and drought.
• Boost the outdoor economy: By supporting wildlife conservation, RAWA funds will boost our $887 billion outdoor economy, which already supports over 7.6 million jobs and is fueled by more than 100 million American wildlife enthusiasts, hunters, anglers, birders, and hikers. A small portion of the funds will also support wildlife education.

Official text of the Recovering America's Wildlife Act is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.