Averted Floor Vote on HR2811- Python Ban

Averted Floor Vote on HR2811- Python Ban

While USARK has been focused on assisting Florida residents and stake holders regarding recent proposals by some state legislators to BAN or more strictly regulate all Reptiles of Concern, some U.S. Congressmen recently moved to force a floor vote on the US House Bill HR2811; aka The Python Ban.

HR2811 is a federal bill sponsored by Congressman Kendrick Meek (D- FL) that in its original form would have BANNED import and interstate trade of the genus python in the U.S. USARK worked with the Bill sponsors and relevant Committee staff to amend HR2811; taking all pythons except the African Rock Python and the Burmese Python off of the proposed Bill. The committee staff and sponsors refused to remove the Burms and Afrocks, but agreed in principle to further amend HR2811 to limit the Bill to import ONLY, and allow the continued trade in captive bred specimens already in the U.S. to continue. The Bill in its current amended state addresses ONLY Afrocks and Burms, but the USARK proposed amendment to allow captive bred trade to continue has not yet been adopted.

The recent move to force a floor vote on the bill would not have included the proposed amendment to allow the continuation of captive bred trade. The issue of allowing the captive bred trade in the Burmese Python and the African Rock Python is a priority for USARK. Fortunately USARK’s Washington, DC representatives were alerted to the attempted move and took steps to head it off. They worked closely with Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and his staff to hold off a floor vote on the Bill. Congressman Gohmert, the Ranking Member of Judiciary Subcommittee, advised that he has objections to the Bill moving to the floor in its current draft and is seeking a public hearing to further educate the Committee on the implications.

The ability of USARK to position itself as a professional entity exerting real influence on the ‘Hill’ has proved an invaluable asset to the Reptile Nation. Without the direct actions of USARK at the federal level, our recent good work with the State of Florida regarding Reptiles of Concern would be a moot point. USARK averted a major setback by maintaining vigilance on this issue.

USARK would like to thank Congressman Gohmert for his help in keeping the debate on HR2811 fair and equitable.

If you are able, please come to the Gila Productions Tampa Show next weekend September 26-27 at the state fairgrounds and sign letters to Congressman Meek, Congressman Rooney and Governor Crist. There may be a special guest in attendance; one of the fathers of the industry. Join Us. There is Strength in Numbers… Protect Your Rights!

Dang if I still lived right outside of Tampa, I would totally be there!! Good luck to any and all that get the opportunity to go!

Please join the Reptile Nation in a Congressional Call In Opposing HR2811 aka The Python Ban November 2, 3 & 4. If you value your Boas & Pythons you will participate and encourage your entire sphere of influence to do the same. There is a Hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism & Homeland Security scheduled for November 5th. Please call in and OPPOSE HR2811.

As originally written HR2811 would add the entire genus python to the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. This would effectively end the Import, Export and Interstate Transport of any animals listed. In July USARK was successful in narrowing the scope of the bill by removing most pythons with an amendment offered by Congressman Tom Rooney. The amendment would limit the bill to the Burmese Python and the African Python. In addition committee staff agreed in principle to further amend the bill to allow the captive bred trade in these two snakes to continue. To date this promise has not been kept and the HR2811 has not been amended to allow for captive bred trade.

Meanwhile the USGS Risk Assessment of 9 Large Constricting Snakes has been released. The Humane Society of the United States is lobbying hard to have HR2811 amended to include the entire genus python, as well as the four species of anaconda, and Boa Constrictor referred to in the USGS report. Do not assume that HSUS will not be successful in getting HR2811 amended to reflect these changes. Only USARK and the Reptile Nation stand between HSUS and the destruction of our community.

Our science experts have done a cursory analysis of the USGS report and characterize it as “…loose with numerous mistakes and inaccuracies. It is an oversimplification of a very complicated topic.” The bottom line is it is not the solid piece of science HSUS wanted to use as a tool to break the back of our community. However that has not stopped them from mischaracterizing it as just that.

What can I do?

***November 2,3 & 4 Call In and Fax the Subcommittee and voice your opposition to HR2811. Be polite & professional!

Script:

My name is____. I oppose HR2811. It is overly simplistic and politically driven. It is poorly thought out and sacrifices good science for political expediency. The negative economic impact for my family and business would be significant. Please oppose HR2811. Thank you for your consideration.

Call List:

Sponsor:

Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Sponsor
Washington DC: phone 202-225-4506; fax 202-226-0777
Miami: phone 305-690-5905; fax 305-690-5951

Cosponsors:

Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-1313; fax 202-225-8398
Ft. Lauderdale: phone 954-733-2800

Congressman John Lewis (D-GA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3801; fax 202-225-0351
Atlanta: phone 404-659-0116

Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3001; fax 202-225-5974
Boca Raton: phone 561-988-6302; fax 561-988-6423

Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (HI-2)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-4906; fax 202-225-4987
Honolulu: phone 808-541-1986

Congressman Tom Rooney (R-FL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-5792; fax 202-225-3132
Punta Gorda: phone 941-575-9101; fax 941-575-9103

Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism & Homeland Security:

Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-8351; fax 202-225-8354
Richmond: phone 804-644-4845

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3072; fax 202-225-3336
San Jose: phone 408-271-8700

Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3816; fax 202-225-3317
Houston: phone 713-691-4882

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-2201; fax 202-225-7854
Los Angeles: phone 323-757-8900

Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3265; fax 202-225-5663
Memphis: phone 901-544-4131

Congressman Pedro Pierluisi (D-PR)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-2615; fax 202-225-2154
San Juan: phone 787-723-6333

Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-5431; fax 202-225-9681
Roanoke: phone 540-857-2672

Congressman Dan Lungren (R-CA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-5716; fax 202-226-1298
Gold River: phone 916-859-9906

Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-TX)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3035; fax 202-226-1230
Tyler: phone 903-561-6349

Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-6565; fax 202-225-5547
Beaumont: phone 409-212-1997

Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-6365; fax 202-226-1170
Chesapeake: 757-382-0080; fax 757-382-0780

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-5635
New York: phone 212-367-7350

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-7931; fax 202-226-2052
Pembroke Pines: phone 954-437-3936; fax 954-437-4776

Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-6616
Brooklyn: phone 718-743-0441

Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-4061; fax 202-225-5603
Chicago: phone 773-267-5926; fax 773-267-6583

Everyone needs to respond to this immediately!

I plan on faxing my letters to Congress on Tuesday.

ZooMed is matching donations to USARK for up to 100,000 until the end of this year. Take advantage of this folks!

I'm proud to say that the Austin Herpetological Society donated $500 to USARK this weekend to help with this fight.

If you cannot do the faxing or phone calling, at least please make a donation to USARK. http://www.usark.org/

Bronze member here. Once again ive done my part. Also posted reminders on other sites.