Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 845, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, led by U.S. Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.). This legislation reinstates the 2020 final rule that removed the gray wolf from the endangered species list in the lower-48 states and returns management authority back to the states, where it belongs. House Committee on Natural Resources members issued the following statements in response:

"The science has been clear for nearly two decades: the gray wolf is a fully recovered species. States are more than capable of managing thriving wolf populations. This legislation restores a common-sense, science-based approach to wolf management, returning decision-making to states. I commend the House for acting to protect livestock, pets, and rural communities while maintaining healthy ecosystems," said Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.).

"I'm thrilled that the Pet and Livestock Protection Act has now passed the House with a bipartisan vote, marking a major win for ranchers, farmers, and property owners in Colorado and nationwide. The science has been clear for years: gray wolves are fully recovered, and their resurgence deserves to be celebrated as a true conservation success story. It's long past time to delist them and empower states to set their own management policies. I can't wait for President Trump to sign this bill into law," said Representative Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.).

"When federal protections were first established for gray wolves in the Great Lakes region, populations were only in the hundreds. Today, there are well over 4,000 wolves across Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Despite this recovery, activist judges continue to ignore the science, leaving livestock and pets to be slaughtered and rural communities vulnerable. The Pet and Livestock Protection Act reflects a commonsense approach that has been recognized across administrations of both parties, including Presidents Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden. The gray wolf has recovered, and Wisconsin should be allowed to responsibly manage a population that has exceeded recovery goals without interference from out-of-state judges," said Representative Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.).

Background

For nearly 20 years, both Republican and Democrat administrations have concluded the gray wolf has met recovery targets and should be delisted nationwide. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reaffirmed this in 2024, determining wolves are not at risk of extinction in the Western United States.

Gray wolf populations have exceeded recovery goals in every region, and states where wolves have already been delisted have shown the ability to sustainably manage populations far above minimum thresholds.