Himes votes against bill that would lift restrictions on ivory, polar bear imports

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement about his vote against HR 2406, the Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act of 2015, or SHARE Act:

“Today, I cast a vote against the SHARE Act, a bill designed to weaken or end protections for wildlife and the environment masquerading as an effort to support hunters and fishermen. Unfortunately, the bill passed the House 242-161.

“This bill would ease restrictions on the import of polar bear trophies and some products containing ivory. The United States should not be in the business of taking any action that promotes the slaughter of endangered animals for sport or trophy hunting. Instead, we should be focusing on strong measures to combat poaching and the harvest of, and trade in, endangered species.

“In addition, part of this bill opens up all Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands to hunting unless the head of either agency actively prohibits it. This removes power from the local land managers who currently are in charge of that decision and in the best position to judge the potential harm to the environment. Other regulations that are lifted in this bill will lead to more potentially toxic lead ammunition and motorized vehicles in our pristine natural spaces.”