Legislation undermines science-based safeguards for more than 130 species poisoned by products of hunting and fishing on federal lands

WASHINGTON (March 18, 2026)—Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 215 to 202, largely on party lines, to support a bill that would substantially increase the risk of harmful lead exposure to both animals and humans from spent hunting ammunition or abandoned fishing tackle on federal lands and water. If the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act (H.R. 556) becomes law, key federal agencies would be prohibited from restricting the use of toxic lead ammunition and fishing tackle on many federal lands and waters used for hunting and fishing. The U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture would be unable to take science-based actions to protect wildlife, people and public lands from lead contamination, even though safer, lead-free alternatives are widely available and effective.

“Long ago, we took steps to eliminate lead from fuel, paint and other products, so why would we tolerate its indiscriminate scattering on our nation’s parklands and waterways? We should have the same zero tolerance policy on our wildlands, especially since non-toxic alternatives are available,” said Kitty Block, president and CEO of Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States. “More than 130 species—from bald eagles to bears—have been documented suffering from lead poisoning after ingesting contaminated carcasses or tackle, and for birds even a single pellet can cause brain damage, organ failure or death. There is no justification for spreading toxic metal across our landscapes, given the serious threats it poses to both animal and human health and safety.”

“Each year, 10 to 20 million birds alone are killed by lead shot and its deleterious effects on our ecosystems. And the World Health Organization estimates 1.5 million people die due to lead exposure each year, so why would the House of Representatives sanction the continued use of lead in bullets?" said Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund. “Federal and state programs provide incentives to encourage the use of lead-free alternatives, and those are the programs that should be expanded. Tell the U.S. Congress to get the lead out.”

Since the start of the 119th Session last year, and often with support from big industry backers, Congress has moved to weaken federal wildlife protections in a host of areas. This includes legislation that would advance major rollbacks to the Endangered Species Act, gut core components of the Big Cat Public Safety Act, and strip wolves and grizzly bears of Endangered Species Act protections altogether. These actions represent a sweeping effort to undo conservation protections that have safeguarded America’s wildlife and public lands for decades.

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