Bills · 119th Congress · Public Lands and Natural Resources

Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act

Also known as Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025

Where it stands

  1. Introduced1/16/25
  2. Passed HousePassed 3/18/26
  3. Senate
  4. President
  5. Law

Passed the House 215–202 on March 18, 2026 (Roll Call 93 →). Received in the Senate on March 19, 2026. No Senate action since.

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Roll calls on this bill

Votes on passage
HouseOn Passage · 3/18/26PassageThe vote on whether this chamber approves the measure — usually by a simple majority of those voting. It becomes law only once both chambers pass the same text and the president signs it, or Congress overrides a veto.House: The Legislative Process ↗
Passed
  • Democratic7 Yea · 201 Nay · 6 Not voting
  • Republican207 Yea · 1 Nay · 9 Not voting
  • Independent / Other1 Yea · 0 Nay · 0 Not voting
Official summary (CRS)

Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025

This bill bars the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Forest Service from prohibiting or regulating the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal land or water. The bill makes exceptions for specified existing regulations and where the FWS, the BLM, or the Forest Service determines that a decline in wildlife population at the specific unit of federal land or water is primarily caused by the use of lead in ammunition or tackle, based on the field data from such unit, and the state approves the regulations.

Full text on congress.gov ↗
Sponsor
Rep. Robert J. Wittman ( Republican · VA-1)
Cosponsors
83
Introduced
1/16/25
Policy area
Public Lands and Natural Resources

What happens next

The Senate must pass the same text, then it goes to the President.

If it isn't enacted by Jan 3, 2027, it expires when the 119th Congress ends.

All actions (22)
  1. 1/16/25Introduced in House
  2. 1/16/25Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  3. 2/20/25Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
  4. 7/15/25Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  5. 7/15/25Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 17.
  6. 11/25/25Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-385, Part I.
  7. 11/25/25Committee on Agriculture discharged.
  8. 11/25/25Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 335.
  9. 3/16/26Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1115 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
  10. 3/18/26Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1115. (consideration: CR H2576-2580)
  11. 3/18/26Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
  12. 3/18/26DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 556.
  13. 3/18/26The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  14. 3/18/26Mrs. Dingell moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H2580)
  15. 3/18/26The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
  16. 3/18/26POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 556, the Chair put the question on the motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Dingell demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  17. 3/18/26Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2581-2582)
  18. 3/18/26On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 206 - 209 (Roll no. 92).
  19. 3/18/26Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 93). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2576)
  20. 3/18/26On passage Passed by recorded vote: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 93). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2576)
  21. 3/18/26Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  22. 3/19/26Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.