The Government Shutdown Needs to End

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by: Marnee Banks

posted in: Hunting & Fishing Access

January 10, 2019

To do right by public lands, lawmakers need to work together

While Washington plays the blame game, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is calling on our elected officials to work together and reopen the government.

Stories about trash piling up in wildlife refuges and volunteers cleaning toilets in national parks are making national news.

As a result, the TRCP is in contact with the nation’s land management agencies to get status updates on our lands, waters, and wildlife. If you have experienced an impact of the government shutdown, please let us know so we can work to address it.

Our fish and wildlife resources, public lands, and the people who carry out conservation in America should not be ignored. Take action today and join the TRCP in calling for an end to this shutdown.

I stand with @TheTRCP in supporting our public lands. It’s time for Washington to #EndTheShutdown. Share on X

Photo Credit: Architect of the Capitol

42 Responses to “The Government Shutdown Needs to End”

John Carlson. January 10, 2019

Thank you for expressing what almost all Americans want but politicians ignore.

January 10, 2019 at 6:25 pm

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Annette Messina January 11, 2019

This needs to end!

January 11, 2019 at 7:16 pm

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Porter Hammer January 11, 2019

End it now! No wall!

January 11, 2019 at 7:21 pm

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Maynard Jerome January 11, 2019

End the shutdown NOW. Holding the citizenry & 800K Federal employees hostage for an ineffective border wall only to fulfill an IGNORANT campaign promise is stupid beyond words.

January 11, 2019 at 7:24 pm

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- Kram Wossor January 11, 2019
  
  Well Said!!!!
  
  January 11, 2019 at 7:57 pm
  
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- Jon McKinney January 11, 2019
  
  Build the wall, which cannot solve everything but clearly can solve a lot.
  
  January 11, 2019 at 8:15 pm
  
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- James Nance January 11, 2019
  
  Democrat hatred of Trump & the 65 Million Real-Americans that voted him into the WH is the reason the Democrats WON’T compromise to #buildthewall for our Nations security & the safety of our citizens & if it takes keeping it shutdown & the Democrats owns it anyway then so be it keep it shut because the President has tried & asked to compromise but the Only word they uttered was NO so it’s on the Democrats as usual
  
  January 11, 2019 at 10:07 pm
  
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- Darrin Boyd January 11, 2019
  
  Fund the wall, end the shutdown
  
  January 11, 2019 at 11:08 pm
  
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  - Julie Maier January 12, 2019
    
    No wall! Fund border security, end the shutdown.
    
    January 12, 2019 at 3:59 am
    
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Brett Viglione January 11, 2019

The wall needs to be built and is not ineffective. Just ask the men and woman who patrol the border. If you want the shutdown to end tell the Dems to secure the border so billions in tax money doesn’t go to the cesspool that is illegal immigration.

January 11, 2019 at 7:32 pm

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Stephen W Madewell January 11, 2019

If this wall was so incredibly important to the majority of our citizens, why wasn’t funding secured while the house and the senate were both controlled by one party? To compromise the status and well being of this nations’ incredible natural resources with a government shutdown is irresponsible and short-sighted.

January 11, 2019 at 7:33 pm

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Liz January 11, 2019

My husband is a federal employee in natural resources, and makes 75% of our family income. We have three little girls, so we’re trying to balance what we can do without for now. Our family has sacrificed a lot for the US gov – missed birthdays and anniversaries, multiple moves, him being on call all summer – and apparently this is how we’re being repaid.

January 11, 2019 at 7:37 pm

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Mike dunlap January 11, 2019

Really how much is the shutdown going to cost in things we can’t make more of other than money

January 11, 2019 at 7:48 pm

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Judith Adams January 11, 2019

Democrats need to stop all this nonsance and do as the president wishes thee are a lot of citizens suffering because of the stupid Democrats, what happen with ” for the people” and not for the money in the Democrats pockets sick of these asses in Congress in it for the money, Also stop with the Social Security crap. we have worked all our lives for this pittance. My hisband got a $200.00 increase and I got a $20. increase. return the 3 Trillion dollars that Obama stole and return it to the people. Also start investigating all the fraud inside SS. Especially all the illegals receiving this package it is for the people who worked their entire lives and not someone crossing borders illegibly

January 11, 2019 at 7:51 pm

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Gerard P Smith January 11, 2019

END HOLDING AMERICANS AND THEIR PAY CHECKS, LIVES AN LIVLEYHOODS HOSTAGE YO MORONS

January 11, 2019 at 7:53 pm

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Jerry January 11, 2019

if walls don’t work why are there walls around prisons, stadiums, Pelosi’s and Obama’s homes ? not for looks I’m sure

January 11, 2019 at 7:55 pm

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Michael W Lindley January 11, 2019

THE POTUS IS CORRECT TO CARRY OUT HIS SWORN OATH TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE AMERICA PEOPLE!!
BUILD THE WALL!! WE ARE BEING INVADED BY UNKNOWN PEOPLE!!
Give OUR POTUS OUR MONEY TO KEEP US SAFE!!!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
GOD BLESS TEDDY ROOSEVELT!!

January 11, 2019 at 8:17 pm

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Tim January 11, 2019

The shutdown only pertains to the 25% of non-essential programs, so why is 25% of my taxes going towards non- essential programs? Perhaps I would donate more with 25% more in my paycheck!

January 11, 2019 at 8:45 pm

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Kyle Snavely January 11, 2019

I applaud the TRCP for bringing awareness to the dangerous state public resources and wildlife find themselves in.

January 11, 2019 at 9:57 pm

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Darrin Boyd January 11, 2019

Besides, it’s what WE THE PEOPLE voted for. Thank God Hillary is still nobody’s POTUS. #BuildTheWall

January 11, 2019 at 11:10 pm

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- Rooster Cogburn January 11, 2019
  
  Walls are effective that’s a fact. Illegal immigrants cost billions that’s a fact. The ONLY reason the left opposes is because it’s Trump that’s the truth. Fund it and move forward.
  
  January 11, 2019 at 11:49 pm
  
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Murray Smart January 12, 2019

We do not need a border wall along the entire southern border of the U.S. There are places where a wall would be a block to the movement of wildlife. Landowners in certain places are not interested in having their land taken from them for a wall (heard of government over reach?). Many of the legislators who represent the southern border of the U.S. are not in favor of a wall. Check history – walls of Jericho, Hadrians wall, the Great Wall of China, the Maginot Line, the Berlin Wall, etc. and see how well they worked. We need common sense action on “border security” – not a my way or the highway approach. It is time for people with cooler, more level heads to step up.

January 12, 2019 at 12:39 am

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- Anita January 12, 2019
  
  I believe he wants to steal the land (much of which is golf courses) at the border using Eminent Domain. I also think he would divert funds from real crises to his own pocket as he did with the 9-11 fund which was overseen by Rudy Giuiliani at the time. The House sent a bill to reopen the government and Mitch McConnell refuses to put it to a vote. This all started with a bi-partisan agreement that Trump rejected. He broke the record (i’m sure he wanted that), so time to reopen the government.
  
  Anyone willing to give up their land, their homes, their jobs to support this stupid idea? Fix the fence where it needs it and implement technological answers. Allow wildlife to come and go as it needs.
  
  January 12, 2019 at 3:11 pm
  
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  - Darrin January 14, 2019
    
    I live in Arizona, there are no golf courses on the border. Where did you get this crazy idea? Fake News?
    
    January 14, 2019 at 4:22 pm
    
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  - Darrin Boyd January 15, 2019
    
    Yeah, that’s it. You’re hilarious.
    
    January 15, 2019 at 11:47 am
    
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Lura Trossello January 12, 2019

The wall is a ridiculous idea. It would be ineffective and dangerous to wildlife. We need to end the government shutdown and come up with an intelligent alternative to this wall.

January 12, 2019 at 8:08 am

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- Darrin January 14, 2019
  
  Dangerous to wildlife? That is hilarious.
  
  January 14, 2019 at 4:27 pm
  
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  - Dr. J II January 20, 2019
    
    Think about the trophy coues deer in northern Sonora that exchange alleles with those populations on the northern edge of the border (FYI, the northern edge is the part in the US). Alleles are variants of genes, including those genes responsible for physical attributes like large antlers, body size, etc. I highly recommend reading peer-reviewed literature on the effects of physical barriers on wildlife genetics.
    
    January 20, 2019 at 12:46 am
    
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    - Darrin Boyd January 25, 2019
      
      What you are saying is this is more important to you than our sovereign nation? I see where your priorities stand. Thanks Dr J.
      
      January 25, 2019 at 8:52 pm
      
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Bob Kirsch January 12, 2019

Border security yes, get people back to work. Compromise and pass funding for needed improvements to stopping illegal immigration and smuggling across the border. However, I do not want one cent of my tax money going toward Trump’s Great Wall of America (that Mexico was to pay for). Give him 5 billion today and he will manufacture another crisis to get the next 5 billion. Thus are tyrants.

January 12, 2019 at 8:54 am

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William Blount January 12, 2019

There is a wall along the border with Mexico. The areas without a wall are very remote and not ideal for peasants to make the journey North. We need cooler heads to prevail and that begins when the mobster and his family vacate the White House. It’s pretty sad when only half the country votes and a smaller portion of that group elect the leader.

January 12, 2019 at 10:09 am

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Michael Holzman January 12, 2019

Those of you who support the wall have probably never lived within 30 miles of the southern border so your wall fantasy is just that. To hold 800,000 hostage for a political stunt is not what a President should be doing. Put them back to work NOW. Certain folks in this country need to determine whether they are Republican or Democrat or American. There is a difference. End the shutdown!

January 12, 2019 at 10:12 am

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- Darrin January 14, 2019
  
  I live in Arizona. I hunt coues deer on the southern border. I have glassed up illegals with backpacks walking through the canyons. We have signs many miles north of the border saying it’s a dangerous area to be in. What!? This land is America therefore I should be able to explore and hunt this land safely. We need a wall. The experts protecting the border advocate for it. So, don’t tell me I know nothing about the border if I don’t live within 30 miles of it. #MAGA
  
  January 14, 2019 at 4:19 pm
  
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Maria L January 12, 2019

Trump needs to stop acting like a child throwing a tantrum. Sorry, he’s not getting what he wants. He cant see the impact he will cause and is causing, because he can’t see pass his own selfishness. End the shutdown!!!

January 12, 2019 at 3:28 pm

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- Darrin January 14, 2019
  
  …while the Democrats are partying in Puerto Rico, our POTUS is working and not taking a salary. There is no tantrum being thrown. Wake up and stop supporting the swamp by watching Fake News.
  
  January 14, 2019 at 4:17 pm
  
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- Darrin Boyd January 15, 2019
  
  He’s only projecting what WE THE PEOPLE voted for. It’s not a personal want he is advocating for. He’s advocating for what WE THE PEOPLE put him in office for. We are sick of the Democrats using illegal immigrants for their benefit of votes and for anyone else using them as cheap labor. Our country is $20T in debt, we cannot afford to continue down this welfare state and expect to remain a free country. There is nothing immoral about a sovereign nation having a border wall.
  
  January 15, 2019 at 1:29 pm
  
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  - Dr. J II January 20, 2019
    
    Wait – the debt you refer to will increase by $5.7 billion, up $1.5 trillion since 2016. I highly recommend a course in Macro Economics.
    
    January 20, 2019 at 12:24 am
    
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    - Darrin Boyd January 25, 2019
      
      Macro Economics is easy here since 5.7B of 1.5T is about .38% on the increase only of the national debt, not the total national debt. Hardly a drop in the bucket when you consider it will help decrease the welfare state coming across the border illegally. Let me know when you need more help with your math, Dr. J. You want help with the math on the last administration’s increase in our national debt? About 100% increase on the TOTAL national debt. You’re welcome.
      
      January 25, 2019 at 9:01 pm
      
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      - Dr. J II January 26, 2019
        
        Now I see your point. Debt + debt = surplus. Thank you for the clarification.
        
        January 26, 2019 at 11:15 am
Pat Person January 14, 2019

The shutdown is affecting way more people than 800,000+ federal employees, and the situation is being ignored by politicians and the media. Many private, non-profit corporations depend on loans and grants from various federal agencies. Applications for these funds are not being processed, and payment of funds is not being made.
Out here in the west, where most of the federal land is, there is much work that needs to be done. Slash piles need to be burned during the winter, and almost a month of burning conditions has been lost. This puts fuels and fire hazard reduction projects, which are already behind schedule, even more behind schedule.
The House members and Senators need to develop spines and stand up to the Executive Branch! End the shutdown and over-ride a veto!

January 14, 2019 at 10:28 am

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Darrin Boyd January 14, 2019

I live in Arizona. I hunt coues deer on the southern border. I have glassed up illegals with backpacks walking through the canyons. We have signs many miles north of the border saying it’s a dangerous area to be in. What!? This land is America therefore I should be able to explore and hunt this land safely. We need a wall. The experts protecting the border advocate for it. Therefore, don’t tell me I know nothing about the border if I don’t live within 30 miles of it. #MAGA

January 14, 2019 at 4:54 pm

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Eli Gardner January 14, 2019

Trump needs to stay strong, keep the government shut down and get the wall built.
I don’t feel bad for anyone who decided to take a federal job… you should have known this could happen.
Aslo you’re not loosing any money it will all be back payed.
Finally everyone shouldn’t be pissed with the president and pissed with law makes for passing laws that put workers out of paychecks and not themselves. They make way to much money as it is anyways.

January 14, 2019 at 5:09 pm

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by: Kristyn Brady

posted in: Hunting & Fishing Access

January 2, 2019

House Reversed Rule That Made It Easier to Sell Off Public Lands

Lawmakers have undone a 2017 rule-change that was widely criticized by hunters and anglers concerned about the threat of public land transfer or disposal

This week, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership encouraged House lawmakers to reverse a 2017 measure that made it easier to transfer or sell off public lands.

“Considering the benefits they provide to local communities and the nation—including outdoor recreation opportunities, clean water, and abundant wildlife habitat—America’s public lands continue to increase in value,” says Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Congress should not be in the business of finding new ways to get rid of our public lands, and we applaud measures proposed by House lawmakers that recognize public lands are national assets, worthy of conservation.”

In its first day in session, the House of the 116th Congress passed a rules package that did not include language widely criticized by hunters and anglers last Congress.

The original rule-change—made by a 40-vote margin on the first day of the 115th Congress—overturned a requirement under Congressional Budget Office accounting rules to offset the cost of any transfer of federal land that generated revenue for the U.S. Treasury, whether through energy extraction, logging, grazing, or other activities.

In other words, for the past two years, public lands—even those producing billions in revenue for the federal government—had no official value and thus were vulnerable in terms of possible transfer to the states. House rules passed on Thursday did not carry this provision forward.

Once again, if lawmakers want to give federal land to a state or local government or tribe, they have to account for that loss of revenue.

“This indicates that public lands are on firmer footing in the 116th Congress,” says Fosburgh. “We encourage all our lawmakers to restore or create policies that will help keep public lands in the public’s hands.”

This story was updated on January 4, 2019.

by: Randall Williams

posted in: Hunting & Fishing Access

December 20, 2018

Congress Fails to Reauthorize LWCF, Advance Lands Package

Critical measures for public lands and sportsmen’s access had broad support but didn’t make it across the finish line

Last night, the 115th Congress moved closer to adjourning after failing to advance a wide-ranging and noncontroversial public lands package that had been under careful development by lawmakers for years. Part of the proposed legislation was a permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, key provisions from the Sportsmen’s Act, Pittman-Robertson Modernization, and numerous regionally specific bills.

“These critical measures for our public lands and sportsmen’s access were teed-up and ready to go with broad support, yet Congress still failed to get them across the finish line,” says Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “While we truly appreciate the best efforts of some lawmakers who went to bat for this, we are disappointed to see common-sense solutions kicked down the road yet again.”

Chief among the opportunities missed was a reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which expired on September 30 despite the efforts of an outspoken, diverse coalition of advocates. For more than 50 years, the LWCF has helped conserve habitat and create public access for hunting and fishing all across the nation.

“Permanently reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund should have been an easy win for lawmakers of both parties,” says Fosburgh. “We still have 9.5 million acres of landlocked public lands in the West, and the task of conserving important fish and wildlife habitats is no less critical, but we no longer have at our disposal the best tool to address these issues.”

With the 115th Congress now at a close, sportsmen and women are turning their attention to the prospects of advancing the lands package in the next two years. When a new Congress convenes in January, much could be accomplished by making good on the unfinished business of the last session, with a simple reintroduction of these bills and expeditious votes.

Congressional champions of the public lands package include Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Del.), and House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah, 1st) and Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz., 3rd). These decision-makers fought hard for consideration of the package this year and are now working to secure a commitment from House and Senate leadership to move to consider the package in early 2019.

There have been few chances in recent memory to achieve so much for fish, wildlife, and the future of hunting and fishing, and certainly none as ready-made as this. “If our Congressional leaders take seriously the priorities of sportsmen and women, this lands package should be high on their agenda when they begin work in 2019,” says Fosburgh. “Common-sense, noncontroversial solutions to some of the most pressing conservation challenges are simply waiting for our elected officials to act. We hope that the next Congress will honor the collaboration and effort that went into this deal by considering and voting on these bills when they convene in early January.”

Photo Credit: Wyatt Bensken

by: TRCP Staff

posted in: Hunting & Fishing Access

December 7, 2018

Featured Podcast: Will Congress Act in Time to Pass a 2018 Farm Bill?

Tune in to find out how the Farm Bill could enhance habitat and access on private land—if lawmakers can strike a deal in time

The hosts of the Your Mountain Podcast remind us that decisions are being made every day that could affect your land, water, and wildlife. So you should know about them. That couldn’t be more true right now, when we’re anxiously awaiting an agreement on the next Farm Bill. This critical legislation helps landowners implement conservation practices and open hunting and fishing access you wouldn’t otherwise have in rural America.

Here’s what you need to know about the time crunch and how conservation could lose out if lawmakers need to start the process all over again next Congress.

Learn more about the Your Mountain Podcast here.

by: TRCP Staff

posted in: Hunting & Fishing Access

November 29, 2018

Featured Podcast: Voluntary Public Access Is a Farm Bill Success Story

Tune into this hour-long podcast to learn how the Farm Bill helps create public hunting opportunities on private land, where some of the best hunting east of the Rockies can be found

TRCP’s Alex Maggos and Zane Zaubi of Horizons Land and Farm Development sit down with East to West Hunting Podcast to talk about how the Farm Bill’s $5 billion in conservation funding is put to work in ways that benefit sportsmen and women. From improving water quality and wildlife habitat to facilitating walk-in access on private land where hunters and anglers need it most, the Farm Bill has something for everyone.

Give it a listen below.

Learn more about the East to West Hunting Podcast here.

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