Supporters Praise Representative Huffman for Proposed Migratory Bird Safety Legislation
Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) unveiled a new legislative bill on Tuesday, the Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2025. This bill seeks to reinforce protections for North American avian species, a move critical as wildlife conservation laws face increasing threats from the Trump administration.
Robert Dewey, vice president of government relations at Defenders of Wildlife, hailed the proposed legislation. "For more than a century, the Migratory Bird Protection Act has underpinned successful, bipartisan conservation efforts," Dewey said. "By updating this law, Rep. Huffman seeks to hold companies and organizations accountable for unintentional but predictable bird mortalities during industrial development."
The bill's focal point is to ensure that the unauthorized take (killing) of migratory birds, including those affected by unintended harm from industrialization, development, and human activities, falls under the jurisdiction of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Additionally, the bill allocates funding for research aimed at understanding and reversing bird species declines.
Enacted in 1918, the MBTA stands as one of the United States' oldest and most effective conservation laws, having saved countless species ranging from hummingbirds to eagles. Notably, it protects bird populations that lack safeguards under other federal statutes, such as the Endangered Species Act.
The legislation, supported by both Republican and Democratic representatives, signifies a bipartisan commitment to strengthening bird protection measures against politically motivated attacks by the Trump administration.
For more than 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has been a leading advocate for safeguarding native animals and plants in their natural habitats. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, the organization aims to secure long-term conservation solutions for wildlife. For more information, visit our website.
Media Contact: Zach Klein
- The Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), seeks to update the century-old Migratory Bird Protection Act, amend current policy-and-legislation to hold companies and organizations accountable for unintentional bird mortalities during industrial development, and increase funding for environmental-science research to understand and reverse bird species declines.
- Science plays a crucial role in the Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2025, as the legislation aims to allocate funds for research and strengthen protections for North American avian species, a move critical as wildlife conservation laws face threats from policy-and-legislation.
- The Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2025 is backed by both Republican and Democratic representatives, signifying a bipartisan commitment to general-news and policy-and-legislation that prioritizes wildlife conservation, defends against politics-driven threats, and promotes long-term solutions for the protection of migratory bird species and their natural habitats.
