Us Congress House Bill HB2159

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/29/23
• Refer: 3/29/23

Caption

To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for U.S. Department of Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund for fiscal year 2024.

Impact

If enacted, HB2159 would directly affect the funding levels available for various endangered species conservation programs managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund plays a critical role in supporting conservation projects, reductions in funding may hinder efforts to protect threatened wildlife and their habitats. Stakeholders, including conservationists and wildlife advocates, express concern that reduced funding could lead to negative consequences for species at risk, potentially undermining long-term conservation goals.

Summary

House Bill 2159 proposes a limitation on the availability of funds for the U.S. Department of Interior, specifically targeting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund for the fiscal year 2024. The bill specifies that the total amount that can be appropriated or otherwise made available for this fund shall not exceed $24,062,000. The bill is part of broader legislative efforts to control federal expenditures related to wildlife conservation and reflects fiscal conservatism in the current congressional session.

Contention

Discussion surrounding HB2159 highlights a significant contention between fiscal restraint and environmental protection. Proponents of the bill argue that limiting funds is necessary to ensure government accountability and prevent wasteful spending, while opponents contend that such measures can undermine critical conservation initiatives. The debate centers on finding a balance between budgetary concerns and the urgent need to address the challenges facing endangered species, raising questions about the federal commitment to wildlife preservation.