H.R.1934 - Prohibiting Threatened and Endangered Creature Trophies Act of 2025; ProTECT Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1934, the ProTECT Act of 2025, aims to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The bill seeks to prohibit the taking of threatened or endangered species for trophies within the United States and the importation of such trophies into the country. It also modifies permit procedures and definitions related to trophies under the Endangered Species Act.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the ProTECT Act would expand protections for threatened species by preventing trophy hunting and importation of trophies. This could lead to increased populations of endangered and threatened species. It would also potentially impact industries related to hunting and the trade of wildlife trophies.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced Wildlife Conservation: Protects vulnerable species from trophy hunting, aiding in their recovery.
- Reduced Poaching Incentives: By restricting legal trophy hunting, the bill may decrease incentives for poaching.
- Strengthened Endangered Species Act: Closes loopholes related to threatened species and trophy imports.
- Ethical Considerations: Aligns with ethical concerns regarding the treatment and conservation of wildlife.
- Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade: Reduces cover for illegal wildlife trade by restricting legal trade in trophies.
Potential Disadvantages
- Economic Impact on Hunting Industry: Restricting trophy hunting could negatively affect businesses and communities that rely on hunting revenue.
- Potential for Unintended Consequences: May lead to increased illegal hunting if legal avenues are completely shut down without adequate enforcement.
- Limited Scope: Focuses solely on trophy hunting and may not address other significant threats to endangered species, such as habitat loss.
- Restriction of Individual Liberty: Hunters may view the law as an infringement on their right to hunt legally and sustainably managed populations.
- Enforcement Challenges: Effective enforcement will require resources and coordination to prevent illegal trophy hunting and trade.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) by regulating international and interstate trade of wildlife trophies. The Endangered Species Act, which this bill amends, has been generally upheld as a valid exercise of federal power under the Commerce Clause and the Treaty Power (Article II, Section 2, Clause 2). The Act's provisions are designed to protect biodiversity, which can be seen as having economic value and impacting interstate commerce. There is a potential tension with the Second Amendment if interpreted as infringing on the right to hunt, but this is unlikely as the Second Amendment primarily concerns firearm ownership for self-defense.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).