Political Quotes

“This is something that is vitally important to my congressional district where much of it is mountainous land where we have sheep herds; we have other livestock that are threatened by coyotes. It has become a very, very serious problem in the State of Virginia. This is not just a Western problem. Unfortunately, Virginia only receives $35,000 for the entire State for predator control, and we are losing the battle to preserve a valuable resource in our State. For the first time in history, the Virginia sheep flock has dipped below 100,000 animals. Conversely, the coyote population is growing at a rate of between 20 percent and 50 percent, according to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The limited amount of money received from the Wildlife Services Program only funds one trapper who has to monitor the traps in 17 counties. The USDA agrees that our area is desperately understaffed. It is impossible for one staff member to monitor 17 counties under the Wildlife Services Program. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.”