119-HR-845 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

A bill to delist most gray wolves again by ordering the 2020 federal rule back into effect and blocking lawsuits over that move. [1]Congress.gov — Text - H.R.845 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Pet and Livestock P…[2]U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service / Federal Register — Removing the Gray Wolf (Canis…

What It Does

- Requires the Interior Department to reissue, within 60 days, the November 3, 2020 rule (85 Fed. Reg. 69778) that removed ESA protections for gray wolves across the lower 48 states, except for the Mexican wolf. - Bars any judicial review of that reissuance. - Practical effect: management would largely return to states where federal protections were restored after a 2022 court decision vacated the 2020 rule; this bill would reinstate that delisting and preclude new court challenges to the reissuance. [1]Congress.gov — Text - H.R.845 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Pet and Livestock P…[2]U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service / Federal Register — Removing the Gray Wolf (Canis…[3]Congressional Research Service — U.S. District Court Vacates Gray Wolf Delistin…

Who’s For It

• Republican sponsors and the House Natural Resources Committee majority, who argue wolf recovery goals have been met in core regions and that states are best positioned to manage conflicts with pets and livestock. [4]Congress.gov — H. Rept. 119-332 - Pet and Livestock Protection Act (Committee r…
• Backers cite the 2020 Fish and Wildlife Service determination as evidence that federal protections are no longer warranted. [2]U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service / Federal Register — Removing the Gray Wolf (Canis…
• Proponents note the House passed a similar delisting bill in the prior Congress, signaling GOP support for returning management to states. [5]Congress.gov — Committee report excerpt referencing prior House passage of simi…

Who’s Against It

• Committee Democrats’ dissenting views say the bill undermines the Endangered Species Act by reviving a rule a federal court struck down and by blocking judicial oversight. [4]Congress.gov — H. Rept. 119-332 - Pet and Livestock Protection Act (Committee r…
• Conservation groups and legal analysts point to the 2022 ruling that restored protections outside the Northern Rockies, arguing wolves remain absent from much of their historical range and need federal safeguards. [3]Congressional Research Service — U.S. District Court Vacates Gray Wolf Delistin…

What’s Next

On December 16, 2025, the House adopted a rule (H. Res. 951) to bring H.R. 845 to the floor under a closed rule; a final House vote on the bill has not yet occurred. If it passes the House, it heads to the Senate. [6]U.S. House Republican Cloakroom — Republican Cloakroom: Summary and vote tallie…[7]Congress.gov — H.R. 845 overview and latest action (Rule reported)