Today, September 16, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry passed Committee Chairman John Boozman’s (R-AR) proposed Farm Bill. Thanks to Senator Boozman’s leadership, excellent Committee staff work, and voluminous opposition from hunters, no extreme animal rights amendments were offered during the bill’s previous mark-up. As a result, the Committee-passed version of the Farm Bill that will be considered by the full Senate is clean of anti-hunting and extreme animal rights language.

Sportsmen’s Alliance Reacts to Major Conservation Victory

“Today’s passage of the Farm Bill out of Committee is a major victory for conservation and our nation’s hunters, anglers, and trappers” said Torin Miller, Associate Litigation Counsel at the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “Committee-passage of extensive legislation like the Farm Bill is no easy task, and today’s success is a direct reflection of Senator Boozman’s dedication to conservation, agriculture, and getting things done. That the bill remainsclean of anti-hunting language and animal rights agendas makes that reflection all the brighter.”

What Threats Were Stopped in the Anti-Hunting Amendments?

As a reminder, previously offered anti-hunting amendments would have:  

• Greatly impacted dog breed lineages used in open-field coursing throughout the country;
• Provided a slippery slope for the animal-rights movement to gain momentum to apply a private citizen right of action to sue (and receive attorney’s fees) and draconian asset forfeiture and property seizures on the hunting, wildlife management, and agricultural communities; and
• Permanently enshrined incredibly burdensome wild horse management restrictions, perpetuating and exacerbating the crisis on America’s rangelands.

Next Steps for the Unified Farm Bill Vote

Your continued outreach to Senators is necessary to ensure these same amendments don’t get offered or amended into the bill on the Senate floor. 

Upon final Senate passage, leadership in both the House and Senate will reconcile each chamber’s version to pass a final, unified Farm Bill. The Sportsmen’s Alliance will continue to work with both chambers to ensure that the passage of a much-needed Farm Bill does not include anti-hunting or extreme animal rights language. 

Protecting the Legacy of Hunters, Anglers, and Trappers

As sportsmen, we are the true frontline guardians of a lifestyle that is increasingly coming under political fire. While we are actively funding conservation and managing the land, anti-sportsmen groups are busy filling public hearings to erase our way of life. The threats we face today are unprecedented. It is time for our community to stand together, match their energy, and fiercely protect our right to hunt, fish, and trap. This is how we ensure the legacy we inherited is preserved for our kids, grandkids, and generations to come.