Reps. Tom Tiffany (WI-07) and Lauren Boebert (CO-03) led 21 Members of Congress in introducing the Trust the Science Act to permanently delist the gray wolf in the lower 48 and ensure that action is not subject to judicial review.
Congressman Tom Tiffany says, “Despite the fact that the gray wolf has recovered well past its recovery goal post, radical environmentalists, with help from a California judge, have re-listed the gray wolf, posing an ongoing threat to livestock, farmers, and pet owners in Wisconsin. The Biden administration must follow the science, as they claim to do, by having Secretary Haaland remove ESA protections from species no longer warranting them.”
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert says, “The science is clear, the gray wolf is fully recovered. It shouldn’t be tougher to delist a recovered species than it is to list a species that warrants protection. For far too long, activist judges and extremist environmentalists have weaponized the Endangered Species Act in order to lock up our lands. The gray wolf listing has also led to countless killings of livestock. The Trust the Science Act empowers states and puts people ahead of violent predators based on actual science. Its far past time that we removed leftist politics from listing decisions.”
Ranking Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources Bruce Westerman (AR-04) says, “The current situation with the gray wolf clearly highlights the shortcomings of the Endangered Species Act. Despite ample scientific and commercial evidence indicating the gray wolf is recovered and no longer needs ESA protections, a federal court intervened and ignored the science. It is time we fix the ESA to accomplish its original intent: recovering species on the brink of extinction and delisting them when they recover. The gray wolf no longer needs the robust protections of the ESA, and those taxpayer dollars should be spent recovering wildlife that actually need help. Congresswoman Boebert and Congressman Tiffany have been leaders on this issue for our committee, and I’m proud to join their legislation.”
Chairman of the Western Caucus Dan Newhouse (WA-04) says, “Gray wolves have been successfully recovered — thanks to effective state and local species management plans. Instead of pandering to interest groups with political agendas, we should trust the best available science, which deems the gray wolf an Endangered Species Act success story. I’m proud to join Reps. Boebert and Tiffany in supporting science-based listing decisions that benefit species and local communities.”
Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) says, “The gray wolf is a perfect example of why species management should belong with the states and not the federal government. In Minnesota, gray wolf populations have maintained well above both federal and state recovery goals for decades, and does not need further protection. State management is more than adequate to preserve wolves in the affected areas of the country. I am glad to join my colleagues in this common-sense legislation.”
Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01) says, “The gray wolf population has successfully recovered, and it’s a shame that a California judge can ignore years of scientific evidence to dictate wolf management to folks in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. States are best equipped to manage our gray wolf populations, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this important legislation.”
Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) says, “The science and facts show the gray wolf is recovered. In fact, these wolves are now a danger to our domestic animals and livestock. It’s more important now than ever to delist the gray wolves and support state led conservation and management of their populations to better protect our livestock and support our deer herds.”
Congressman Ken Buck (CO-04) says, “The gray wolf was first placed on the endangered species list in 1976 and has since made one of the most complete recoveries in history. It is time to trust the science and follow through on the Trump Administration’s decision to delist the gray wolf. States, localities, and private stakeholders have proven themselves more than capable of balancing species recovery with protections for hard working farmers and ranchers in Colorado.”
Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI-08) says, “The science is clear: the gray wolf population has recovered well past its goal. It’s past time for the Department of the Interior to acknowledge this reality, end its continued attempts to re-list the gray wolf, and restore states’ ability to manage wolf populations.”
Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Kevin Krentz says, “Wisconsin farmers should not be subject to the judicial whims of a judge hundreds of miles away. It’s time Wisconsin is allowed to take full control of the management of the state’s top predator. Wisconsin Farm Bureau appreciates and supports the efforts of Representative Tiffany and Boebert as they work to allow Wisconsin farmers to defend their livestock. The science is proven. Wisconsin’s wolves have been recovered, and it’s time for the management phase of this Endangered Species Act success story.”
Mid States Wool Growers Association General Manager Dave Rowe says, “We believe the relisting of the grey wolf was a mistake and should have never been done. The reintroduction of the grey wolf into farming and ranching communities put great pressure on those families in terms of their personal safety and the livestock that they care for. Again, Mid States Wool Growers Cooperative Association would like to be counted among the other organizations that have endorsed the Trust the Science Act.”
The Trust the Science Act requires the Secretary of Interior to reissue the 2020 Department of the Interior final rule that delisted gray wolves in the lower 48 United States and ensures that the reissuance of the final rule will not be subject to judicial review.
In 2020, the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delisted the gray wolf in the lower 48 United States through a process that included the best science and data available. At over 6,000 wolves at the time of delisting, the gray wolf has been the latest Endangered Species Act success story with recoveries with significant populations in the Rocky Mountains and western Great Lakes regions.
An activist California judge vacated the final 2020 rule back to the Service thereby restoring ESA protections for the gray wolf across most of the United States.
Gray wolf populations have fully recovered according to career officials who work for the Department of Interior currently and made the delisting decision based on the best available science.
Reps. Tom Tiffany and Lauren Boebert led 21 Members of Congress in introducing the Trust the Science Act, including: Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Mike Gallagher (WI-08), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Scott Perry (PA-10), Matt Rosendale (MT-02), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Brian Steil (WI-01), Ken Buck (CO-04), John Moolenaar (MI-04), and Tom Emmer (MN-06).
Groups supporting the Trust the Science Act include: Alaska Farm Bureau Federation, BigGame Forever, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado Livestock Association, Colorado Wool Growers Association, House Committee on Natural Resources Republicans, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, Mid States Wool Growers Association, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Lamb & Wool Producers Association, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, National Rifle Association (NRA), New Mexico Wool Growers Inc., Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, Safari Club International (SCI), Washington Farm Bureau, Western Caucus, Wisconsin Cattleman’s Association, and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.