Bruce Westerman: “I also rise in support of this amendment en bloc. None of the amendments included in this amendment en bloc would add…”

“I also rise in support of this amendment en bloc. None of the amendments included in this amendment en bloc would add more spending to this bill. Three of the amendments in this en bloc amend title I by adding more flexibility for State fish and wildlife agencies when they make conservation investments funded under this bill. These amendments do not impose new mandates, but rather, provide States more tools to manage wildlife as they see fit. Mr. Scott's amendment on helping pollinators and their habitats will enhance ongoing efforts aimed at helping the monarch butterfly. Pollinators are critical to ecosystem conservation around the world. That is why my Republican colleagues and I have continuously supported the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances for the monarch butterfly, which allows private companies and landowners to contribute to proactive conservation. The amendment from Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick recommends that States prioritize funding toward innovative strategies and partnerships to recover species. I believe that innovation is critical for ensuring widespread species recovery. The current species recovery framework under the Endangered Species Act is not only outdated, but it is broken and needs innovation. Republicans have offered numerous ideas to use innovation to spur species recovery.…”