House Set to Pass Sportsman Bill Wednesday

The House on Tuesday began considering a recreational hunting and fishing measure, as the Obama administration announced its opposition to the bill.

The legislation would require the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to open public lands under their jurisdiction for recreational hunting, fishing and shooting.

“This legislation ensures that American’s ability to fish and hunt will not be limited by the whim of federal bureaucrats,” Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings, R-Wash., said.

Members adopted by voice vote eight amendments to the bill (HR 3590), although votes on the two most contentious proposals are not expected until Wednesday, along with passage of the measure.

In a Statement of Administration Policy, the White House expressed opposition to a number of provisions in the measure, which is made up of eight lands bills.

The statement said that the bill would “undermine important existing public land and environmental laws, rules, and processes.”