119-S-1377 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

A bipartisan bill would require the Park Service to keep a herd of at least 150 wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit and put guardrails on future removals. [1]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — Text - S.1377 (119th): Theodore Roosevelt…

What It Does

The bill directs the Interior Department to maintain a genetically diverse herd of not fewer than 150 horses in the park’s South Unit. It gives the agency 120 days after enactment to write a cost‑effective management plan that protects other park resources, limits horse removals to emergencies or actions tied to herd genetics, and requires annual public reporting on the herd’s size and health. [1]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — Text - S.1377 (119th): Theodore Roosevelt…

Who’s For It

• Sponsors Sen. John Hoeven (R‑ND) and Sen. Tim Kaine (D‑VA) say the bill safeguards a healthy, genetically diverse herd and preserves a key part of the visitor experience. [5]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — S.1377 — Overview page (Sponsor, status)[2]Office of Sen. John Hoeven — Hoeven press release: Hoeven, Kaine introduce bipa…
• North Dakota officials, including Gov. Doug Burgum, argue the horses are part of the state’s heritage and help local tourism, especially around Medora. [6]Office of the Governor of North Dakota — Burgum urges NPS to maintain wild hors…
• Wild‑horse advocacy groups (e.g., Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates) support permanent federal protections to keep a viable herd in the park. [7]CHWHA (nonprofit) — Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates (organization website)

Who’s Against It

• Some conservation voices and park staff have argued the horses are non‑native “livestock” that put extra pressure on native grasslands and wildlife, so hard‑wiring a herd in law could conflict with the park’s natural‑resources mission. [3]National Parks Traveler — Key To Feral Horse Issue At Theodore Roosevelt Nation…[8]Associated Press — Wild horses that roam Theodore Roosevelt National Park may b…
• Operational concerns: managing the horses (roundups, contraception, monitoring) takes staff time and money that some would rather devote to native species and habitat work. [3]National Parks Traveler — Key To Feral Horse Issue At Theodore Roosevelt Nation…
• Context: the Park Service halted its separate plan to remove the herd in April 2024; skeptics of the bill may say this makes a new mandate unnecessary (inference based on the agency’s announcement). [9]National Park Service — Theodore Roosevelt National Park Terminates Livestock P…

What’s Next

Status as of December 10, 2025: The bill is still in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; the National Parks Subcommittee held a hearing on December 9, 2025. Next steps would be a committee markup and vote before any Senate floor action, then consideration in the House. [4]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — All Information (Except Text) for S.1377 —…