WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the EPW Committee, today applauded Senate passage of the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act of 2024.

“The ACE Act reauthorizes popular programs that preserve vital ecosystems and restore wildlife habitat across our nation,” said Chairman Carper. “With Senate passage of our bipartisan bill, we are one step closer to getting this legislation across the finish line to bolster the conservation programs that fuel our outdoor recreation economy. I thank Senator Capito for her continued partnership on this legislation and look forward to the work ahead to see this bill signed into law.”

“By passing the ACE Act today, the Senate notched a win for conservation and habitat restoration efforts,” Ranking Member Capito said. “I appreciate Chairman Carper working with me to introduce and advance this bipartisan legislation, which will help boost West Virginia’s outdoor recreation industry, especially in the Eastern Panhandle.”

BACKGROUND ON THE ACE ACT:

The ACE Act helps conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat, including by reauthorizing the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act and the Chesapeake Bay Program. It also addresses the threats of emerging wildlife diseases like Chronic Wasting Disease, protects livestock from predators and combats invasive species.

The ACE Act is co-sponsored by Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Angus King (I-ME) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).

The legislation is endorsed by Ducks Unlimited, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the National Wildlife Federation, American Sportfishing Association, the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and the National Audubon Society.

A section by section of the bill is available here.

The full text of the bill is available here.