House · HR 845 · 119th Congress
Pet and Livestock Protection Act
Sign in to cast a dissent vote.
Summary
This bill removes federal protection from gray wolves in the lower 48 states by forcing the government to reissue a 2020 rule that a court had blocked. It affects ranchers, pet owners, wildlife managers, and wolf populations across the country. Courts would not be allowed to review or block this action.
In Favor
Gray wolves have recovered enough that federal protection is no longer needed. Ranchers and pet owners in wolf territory face real losses when wolves attack their animals. Removing this protection lets states manage wolf populations directly and gives farmers more tools to guard their livestock.
Against
A federal court struck down this same rule in 2022 because it did not meet legal standards for removing endangered species protections. This bill bypasses that court ruling and blocks any future court review. Removing that check means no independent body can verify that the wolf population is truly safe from harm.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
This bill tells the Department of the Interior to restore a 2020 rule that removed the gray wolf from the protected species list. A federal court struck down that rule in 2022, and the bill aims to put it back in place.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The bill focuses on one action: reissuing the 2020 gray wolf rule. It also blocks courts from reviewing that reissuance. Both provisions connect directly to the core topic of the bill.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
Livestock and pet owners in the lower 48 states would operate under reduced federal wolf protections. The Mexican wolf subspecies keeps its protected status. Federal wildlife officials gain a 60-day deadline to act.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill authorizes no dollar amounts and sets up no fees. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to reissue an existing rule, which shifts the cost of that administrative work onto the agency.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
The bill gives the agency 60 days to complete the reissuance, which may be a tight timeline for required administrative steps. The no-court-review clause is a feature not commonly used, and its legal standing could face questions during the Senate process.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 6/5/2026