“Bird Killer Amendment” Infects Appropriations Bill
Language Would Prohibit Enforcement of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 3, 2015) – Today, Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC) successfully introduced an amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 2578) that would restrict the Department of Justice from prosecuting violators of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, one of the country’s oldest and most effective conservation laws. The National Audubon Society released the following statement:
“Congressman Duncan’s completely unnecessary ‘Bird Killer Amendment’ would endanger the birds Americans care deeply about,” said Mike Daulton, VP of Government Relations for the National Audubon Society. “For nearly a century, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act has protected millions of birds from needless deaths. If Duncan’s amendment had been law during the BP disaster, those responsible for the largest marine oil spill in history would have faced no prosecution for causing the deaths of an estimated one million birds. Allowing this amendment to become law is tantamount to an avian slaughter free-for-all.”
The National Audubon Society saves birds and their habitats throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon's state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon's vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at www.audubon.org and @audubonsociety.
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