Threats to Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Funding

Proposed legislation (HR 8167) introduced by Georgia congressman Andrew Clyde (https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8167?r=4&s=1) would eliminate Pittman Robertson funding. The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, enacted in 1937 is now known as the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and provides funding for states and territories to support wildlife restoration, conservation, and hunter education and safety programs. The proposed legislation attracted 58 Republican cosponsors, including representatives Glenn Grothman and Tom Tiffany from Wisconsin. Representative Clyde states the Pittman-Robertson excise tax “infringes on Americans’ ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights,” despite the fact that it was sportsmen and women who demanded Congress adopt the current Pittman-Robertson excise tax. The Wisconsin DNR receives millions of dollars in Pittman Robertson funding each year (https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/outdoors/2019/04/13/wisconsin-dnr-receive-31-4-million-fish-wildlife-funds/3447592002/).

More than 40 organizations representing millions of hunter, anglers, and trappers such as the NRA, National Wildlife Federation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Safari Club International, Pheasants Forever, and Back Country Hunters and Anglers have stated their opposition to the bill. Please contact your congressional representative with your opinion on this proposed legislation.