On the recordNovember 14, 2012
I would like to make a brief statement regarding my vote to support the motion to proceed to S. 3525, the Sportsmen's Act of 2012. There are many worthy provisions in this bill that deserve our support. However, I remain concerned about the provision that would allow the importation of polar bear trophies taken in sport hunts in Canada before February 18, 1997. This provision would apply to trophies regardless of whether they were taken from an approved polar bear population. Prior to 1997, U.S. trophy hunters were only permitted to take bears and import trophies from approved populations; thus, only trophy hunters who killed polar bears from unapproved populations would benefit from this provision of the bill. I find this very disturbing. This provision of the Sportsmen's Act undermines current wildlife protections, and further imperils an already threatened species by encouraging future killings for sport. For this reason, I am proud to cosponsor the amendment introduced by my two colleagues from Massachusetts to strike this provision. It would be my hope that the Senate would pass this important amendment. ____________________
