### U.S. House Passes Controversial Bill to Remove Gray Wolves from Endangered Species List The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a significant bill aimed at removing federal protections for the gray wolf, a move that has sparked intense debate among conservationists, hunters, and ranchers. The "Pet and Livestock Protection Act," which passed with a narrow vote of 211-204, seeks to delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and return management of the species to state wildlife officials. Proponents argue that the gray wolf population has rebounded since its initial classification as endangered in the late 1970s, while opponents fear that this could lead to increased hunting and potential population decline [https://bci24news.com/2025/12/us-house-passes-bill-to-remove-gray-wolf-from-endangered-list, https://www.themirror.com/news/politics/house-votes-strip-federal-protections-1569849]. ### Breakdown of the Legislative Action and Its Implications 1. **Legislative Overview** - The bill, known as H.R. 845, was sponsored by Republican Representative Lauren Boebert from Colorado and is now headed to the Senate for consideration [https://newenglandnewspress.com/us-house-passes-bill-to-remove-gray-wolf-from-endangered-species-act-list-new-hampshire-bulletin]. - It aims to remove protections for gray wolves outside Alaska, expanding delisting to areas where wolves are currently protected, including California and parts of Oregon and Washington [https://capitalpress.com/2025/12/18/u-s-house-sends-wolf-delisting-bill-to-senate]. 2. **Support and Opposition** - Supporters, primarily from the hunting and ranching communities, argue that the gray wolf population has sufficiently recovered, allowing for state management and potential hunting [https://kfgo.com/2025/12/19/us-house-passes-bill-to-remove-gray-wolf-from-endangered-species-act-list]. - Conversely, conservation groups and animal rights advocates express concern that removing protections could lead to increased trophy hunting and a decline in wolf populations [https://wildearthguardians.org/press-releases/conservation-group-condemns-vote-to-strip-protections-from-endangered-gray-wolves]. 3. **Legal Context** - The bill includes provisions that prevent courts from reviewing the legislation, similar to previous delisting actions in Rocky Mountain states [https://dailymontanan.com/2025/12/18/house-votes-to-delist-gray-wolves-from-endangered-species-list]. - This legislative move follows a federal court's decision in 2022 that vacated a previous delisting rule, which had been in place since November 2020 [https://agupdate.com/iowafarmertoday/mwo/livestock/article_231d8afd-2e9d-4628-8653-363b754a62aa.html]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Vote Breakdown**: The bill passed with a vote of 211-204, indicating a closely divided opinion among lawmakers [https://kfgo.com/2025/12/19/us-house-passes-bill-to-remove-gray-wolf-from-endangered-species-act-list]. - **Population Recovery**: Advocates for the bill cite the recovery of gray wolf populations since the 1970s as justification for delisting, although specific population metrics were not detailed in the reports [https://www.themirror.com/news/politics/house-votes-strip-federal-protections-1569849]. - **State Management**: If passed by the Senate, the management of gray wolves would shift to state wildlife agencies, which proponents argue can better address local concerns regarding livestock predation [https://capitalpress.com/2025/12/18/u-s-house-sends-wolf-delisting-bill-to-senate]. ### Conclusion: Legislative Impact and Future Considerations The passage of the "Pet and Livestock Protection Act" marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over wildlife management and conservation in the U.S. The implications of this bill could reshape the future of gray wolf populations and their management across the country. 1. **Legislative Action**: The U.S. House has passed a bill to delist gray wolves, moving the decision to state authorities. 2. **Support and Opposition**: The bill has garnered support from hunters and ranchers but faces strong opposition from conservationists. 3. **Legal Framework**: The bill includes provisions limiting judicial review, reflecting a contentious legal backdrop. The outcome in the Senate will be crucial in determining the future of gray wolves in the Lower 48 states, with potential consequences for both wildlife conservation and agricultural practices [https://bci24news.com/2025/12/us-house-passes-bill-to-remove-gray-wolf-from-endangered-list, https://www.themirror.com/news/politics/house-votes-strip-federal-protections-1569849].