119-SJRES-69 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

Senators propose overturning the federal barred‑owl removal plan, arguing it goes too far and costs too much, while wildlife officials and some scientists say it’s needed to protect threatened spotted owls. [2]U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service press release: Fina…[3]Associated Press — AP News: Lawmakers urge administration to cancel owl‑killing…[4]NPR — NPR coverage: Government proposal to kill a half‑million owls sparks cont…

What It Does

S.J.Res. 69 would nullify the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Record of Decision approving a Barred Owl Management Strategy in WA, OR, and CA by using the Congressional Review Act (CRA). GAO has determined that this Record of Decision counts as a “rule” under the CRA. If enacted, the decision would have no effect, and a substantially similar rule could not be reissued without new authorization from Congress. [5]Congress.gov — S.J.Res.69 — bill text (references GAO opinion and 9/6/2024 ROD)[6]U.S. Government Accountability Office — GAO legal opinion: CRA applies to Barre…[7]Legal Information Institute — 5 U.S.C. § 801 — Congressional Review (text of CR…

Why it matters: The federal strategy enables designated partners to lethally remove invasive barred owls to reduce pressure on northern and California spotted owls. FWS says maximum implementation would remove less than 0.5% of North America’s barred owl population annually; critics cite projections of hundreds of thousands of owls over 30 years and question the price tag. [2]U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service press release: Fina…[8]Federal Register / FWS — Federal Register notice: Record of Decision for the Ba…[3]Associated Press — AP News: Lawmakers urge administration to cancel owl‑killing…

Who’s For It

• Sponsors: Sen. John Kennedy (R‑LA) and Sen. Rand Paul (R‑KY); cosponsors include Sens. Katie Britt (R‑AL), Rick Scott (R‑FL), Marsha Blackburn (R‑TN), and James Lankford (R‑OK). [9]Congress.gov — S.J.Res.69 — overview page (Latest Action shows Calendar No. 190)
• Some House members from both parties have urged canceling the owl‑removal plan, arguing projected costs (e.g., up to ~$1.3B over time) and feasibility concerns. [3]Associated Press — AP News: Lawmakers urge administration to cancel owl‑killing…

Who’s Against It

• Wildlife officials and conservation scientists who support the FWS strategy argue targeted removals are necessary to prevent further decline of spotted owls and note the plan’s limits on annual removals. [2]U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service press release: Fina…
• Animal‑welfare organizations and some environmental advocates oppose killing barred owls and warn the program may be inhumane, costly, or ineffective at the landscape scale. [4]NPR — NPR coverage: Government proposal to kill a half‑million owls sparks cont…[3]Associated Press — AP News: Lawmakers urge administration to cancel owl‑killing…

What’s Next

Status: On October 15, 2025, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee was discharged by petition under the CRA, and the resolution was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar (Calendar No. 190). The Senate may bring it up for a vote; to take effect, it must pass both chambers and be signed by the President (or pass over a veto). If enacted, the FWS decision is void and a substantially similar rule cannot be issued without new authorization. [1]Congress.gov — Actions - S.J.Res.69 — All Actions (Includes Oct. 15, 2025 disch…[9]Congress.gov — S.J.Res.69 — overview page (Latest Action shows Calendar No. 190)[7]Legal Information Institute — 5 U.S.C. § 801 — Congressional Review (text of CR…