Sam Farr: “What is broken that needs fixing? These are laws that have been in place for 100 years. In fact, they are laws that have…”

“What is broken that needs fixing? These are laws that have been in place for 100 years. In fact, they are laws that have been implemented because the United States has signed treaties with other countries that share our migratory fowl, countries like Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia. These are treaties that require that we be responsible for the wildlife that flies over our air space and lands in our soil. Migratory birds are integrated into a healthy, natural system. In many ways, they affect the predators, the prey, the seed dispensers, and the pollinators. They are really actively appreciated by millions of people. We have a society in America called the National Audubon Society. We make an awful lot of money in my district off watchable wildlife. Why would we want to stop the laws that protect that wildlife? I think this is all about responsible management; but to have an amendment that says that none of the funds may be available to prosecute or hold liable any persons who have violated the law, you are dismantling law enforcement's ability to enforce the law where people have violated it--violated it. I think the public of this country does appreciate their watchable wildlife, whether they are hunting it or whether they are viewing it, and a lot of people make money off of it. I don't think this amendment is at all constructive. You are upsetting 100 years of law and international responsibility that we have as a country in this hemisphere.…”