WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Dave Joyce’s (OH-14) bill, H.R. 5009, the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization (WILD) Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, which enables wildlife and habitat conservation in all 50 states and territories, and the Multinational Species Conservation Fund, which supports the global conservation of imperiled species, including rhinos, elephants, tigers, great apes, and turtles.

“Having grown up along Lake Erie, protecting the Great Lakes and the wildlife in the area, has always been one of my top priorities in Congress,” said Rep. Joyce, Co-Chair of the International Conservation Caucus. “With the passage of my bill in the House, we are one step closer to ensuring that our children and grandchildren will inherit a world rich in biodiversity. Thank you to my House colleagues and Chairman Westerman for supporting this legislation.”

Watch Congressman Joyce’s full floor speech here.

“Congress got it right when they originally authorized the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and the programs that make up the Multinational Species Conservation Fund. Reauthorizing these programs for the future is a commonsense action that we can take to continue our role as leaders in conservation efforts, and passing H.R. 5009 will help these efforts for the rest of the decade. Representative Joyce has been a leader on this issue, and I look forward to helping him pass it through the legislative process,” said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman.

“In the over thirty years since its inception, the Multinational Species Conservation Funds have been an incredibly successful tool in strengthening global wildlife conservation, helping conserve our planet’s most iconic and beloved wildlife species,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “I’m glad to see the WILD Act pass in the House to ensure we can continue this important work to protect these species for generations to come.”

“Renewal of the Multinational Species Conservation Funds will ensure the U.S. continues to lead global efforts to protect endangered elephants, rhinos, tigers, great apes, and sea turtles in the wild. The strong bipartisan support for the WILD Act in today’s House vote is a testament to the effectiveness of these programs and the unifying power of efforts to conserve wildlife around the world. WWF thanks Reps. Dave Joyce and Debbie Dingell for their leadership to advance the WILD Act and urges the Senate to pass this important legislation without delay,” said Alejandro Pérez, senior vice president of policy and government affairs, World Wildlife Fund (WWF).