The House of Representatives has approved H.R. 845, known as the Pet and Livestock Protection Act. The bill, led by Representatives Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.), seeks to reinstate the 2020 rule that removed gray wolves from the endangered species list in the lower-48 states. If enacted, management authority over gray wolf populations would return to individual states.
Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) commented on the legislation: “The science has been clear for nearly two decades: the gray wolf is a fully recovered species. States are more than capable of managing thriving wolf populations. This legislation restores a common-sense, science-based approach to wolf management, returning decision-making to states. I commend the House for acting to protect livestock, pets, and rural communities while maintaining healthy ecosystems.”
Representative Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) added: “I'm thrilled that the Pet and Livestock Protection Act has now passed the House with a bipartisan vote, marking a major win for ranchers, farmers, and property owners in Colorado and nationwide. The science has been clear for years: gray wolves are fully recovered, and their resurgence deserves to be celebrated as a true conservation success story. It’s long past time to delist them and empower states to set their own management policies. I can’t wait for President Trump to sign this bill into law.”
Representative Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) said: “When federal protections were first established for gray wolves in the Great Lakes region, populations were only in the hundreds. Today, there are well over 4,000 wolves across Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Despite this recovery, activist judges continue to ignore the science, leaving livestock and pets to be slaughtered and rural communities vulnerable. The Pet and Livestock Protection Act reflects a commonsense approach that has been recognized across administrations of both parties, including Presidents Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden. The gray wolf has recovered, and Wisconsin should be allowed to responsibly manage a population that has exceeded recovery goals without interference from out-of-state judges.”
For almost two decades under both Republican and Democratic administrations—including those of Presidents Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden—federal agencies have found that gray wolves have met recovery targets nationally. In 2024 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed that western U.S. wolf populations are not at risk of extinction.
State-managed regions where wolves have already been delisted report sustainable population levels above minimum requirements.
H.R. 845 also includes provisions exempting its reinstatement of delisting from judicial review—a measure intended to address ongoing litigation over wolf management policy.
