Important wildlife conservation bill is passed by U.S. House
Wednesday, 6/15/22
On Tuesday, the U.S. House passed a bill to aid endangered species, called the Recovering America's Wildlife Act (RAW). It was passed in a 231-to-190 vote.
The Act, “would create an annual fund of more than $1.3 billion, given to states, territories, and tribal nations for wildlife conservation on the ground,” according to NPR. A similar bill, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, has protected animals, but it lacks the funding to ensure that animals are financially able to be protected in practice. RAW would ensure that funding is allowing species to actually be saved.
In the U.S., there are over 1,600 endangered species and nearly a third of our wildlife is increasingly at risk of extinction, according to lead House sponsor, Debbie Dingell.
The only problem with the act is the question of how to pay for it.
Some critics of the bill urged voters to join their side by saying that it was flawed. Supporters argue that they are working out the details and saving wildlife ultimately saves our own species.
The White House, also, released a statement that said it strongly supports the bill’s intent.