Wittman’s Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act Passes House of Representatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Rob Wittman's (VA-01) Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025 (H.R. 556) was passed by a vote of 215-202 in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation will prohibit the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture from banning the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands and waters unless such regulation is consistent with state law and supported by science. The measure now moves on to the Senate.

"As a lifelong hunter and recreational fisherman, I understand the importance of balancing conservation with preserving access for sportsmen," said Rep. Wittman. "The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025 achieves that balance by ensuring future generations of hunters and anglers can continue to participate in these activities while promoting responsible stewardship. By preventing executive overreach in the future, this legislation is critical to preserving access for sportsmen and women who rely on traditional lead fishing tackle and ammunition, and it reinforces the use of sound science in decision-making. I am pleased that the House has passed this legislation, and I look forward to seeing it advance to the Senate."

"House passage of the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act wouldn't have been possible without Rep. Wittman's leadership," said Glenn Hughes, President of the American Sportfishing Association. "H.R. 556 ensures that decisions about the use of fishing equipment are grounded in science and respect the role of state fish and wildlife agencies. Maintaining access to affordable fishing equipment is critical for the 58 million Americans who fish and the jobs and economic activity supported by the recreational fishing industry."

"The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act represents a critical step forward in ensuring that America's sportsmen and women can continue to access our public lands and waters using traditional, affordable fishing tackle and ammunition," said Taylor Schmitz, Senior Vice-President of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. "By grounding federal decision-making in sound science, protecting state wildlife management authority, and preventing arbitrary restrictions on fishing tackle and ammunition, this legislation protects both outdoor traditions and the conservation funding they support."

Background:

Congressman Wittman originally introduced this legislation in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) decision to enter settlement negotiations with activist litigants like the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) over a lawsuit regarding the use of traditional ammunition and lead on over 3 million acres of federal land. In October 2023, the Biden-Harris administration issued a final rule to prohibit the use of lead ammunition and tackle in eight national wildlife refuges. The concern over the potential ban of lead ammunition and tackle is due to the fact that lead ammunition is easier and cheaper to make and more readily available for consumers. Banning its use would make hunting less accessible by increasing the financial barriers for sportsmen and women. Earlier this spring, Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's Secretarial Order mimicked the legislation and Congressman Wittman applauded that step.

The bill is supported by the American Sportfishing Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Safari Club International, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, and National Rifle Association.