More than 7,500 TRCP members alone sent letters, made phone calls or informed themselves about the importance of this historic legislation. Photo by Dusan Smetana.
In the past month, thousands of hunters, anglers and others in the conservation community rallied in support of the Sportsmen’s Act of 2012. More than 7,500 TRCP members alone sent letters, made phone calls or informed themselves about the importance of this historic legislation. Thank you to those of you who spoke up.
Those unfamiliar with the impact and importance of this bill should visit the TRCP Blog.
The overwhelming support enjoyed by the Sportsmen’s Act drew notice from leadership in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a proponent of the legislation, said, “The bill … [is] supported by over 50 groups – NRA, Ducks Unlimited, and more than 50 others … and it is not partisan. It is a fine piece of legislation supported by conservation groups, sportsmen's groups all over America.”
Due to congressional infighting, Sen. Tester and others have not been able to advance the bill. We still hope to bring the Sportsmen’s Act across the finish line before the 112 Congress adjourns for the holiday, but the recent proceedings are disappointing.
See below for a rundown of how the Senate voted during Sportsmen’s Act proceedings.
Vote Date: Nov. 13
On Nov. 13 the Senate approved a motion to proceed to the Sportsmen’s Act of 2012. This vote brought the bill to the Senate floor for debate, placing it near the top of the agenda.
|
Vote Counts: |
YEAs |
92 |
|
NAYs |
5 |
|
|
Not Voting |
3 |
|
YEAs: 92 |
||
|
Akaka (D-HI) |
Graham (R-SC) |
Mikulski (D-MD) |
|
NAYs: 5 |
||
|
Boxer (D-CA) |
DeMint (R-SC) |
Sessions (R-AL) |
|
Not Voting: 3 |
||
|
Begich (D-AK) |
Kirk (R-IL) |
Reed (D-RI) |
Vote Date: Nov. 15
On Nov.15, the Senate voted to place a time limit on how long members could debate the bill, eliminating the threat of a filibuster. This vote was taken shortly before Thanksgiving recess, ensuring that the Sportsmen’s Act would be at the top of the Senate’s agenda upon reconvening.
|
Vote Counts: |
YEAs |
84 |
|
NAYs |
12 |
|
|
Not Voting |
4 |
|
YEAs: 84 |
||
|
Akaka (D-HI) |
Feinstein (D-CA) |
Mikulski (D-MD) |
|
NAYs: 12 |
||
|
Boxer (D-CA) |
Kyl (R-AZ) |
Paul (R-KY) |
|
Not Voting: 4 |
||
|
Inouye (D-HI) |
Kirk (R-IL) |
|
Vote Date: Nov. 26
On Nov. 26, the Senate declined to move the Sportsmen’s Act forward due to a budget related objection raised by the ranking member of the Budget Committee. He objected that the bill would technically violate the Budget Control Act of 2011 because of the Duck Stamp price increase element of the bill.
|
Vote Counts: |
YEAs |
50 |
|
NAYs |
44 |
|
|
Not Voting |
6 |
|
YEAs: 50 |
||
|
Akaka (D-HI) |
Inouye (D-HI) |
Pryor (D-AR) |
|
NAYs: 44 |
||
|
Alexander (R-TN) |
Crapo (R-ID) |
McConnell (R-KY) |
|
Not Voting: 6 |
||
|
Begich (D-AK) |
Hoeven (R-ND) |
Kirk (R-IL) |
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