Washington, D.C. – Leaders of the Senate Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC) yesterday introduced the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act in the U.S. Senate, legislation that will improve and preserve the continued user-pay funding of wildlife conservations.

 Introduced by CSC Members Co-Chairmen Jim Risch (ID) and Senator Joe Manchin (WV), with original cosponsors CSC Vice Co-Chairs, Senator Deb Fischer (NE) and Senator Heidi Heitkamp (ND), this proposed legislation will update the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 and ensure continued successful funding for wildlife conservation that benefits all Americans.

 The updates include a clarification that one of the purposes of the legislation is to extend financial and technical support to the states for promotion of hunting and recreational shooting.

 “This legislation is so important because it will strengthen efforts to educate and recruit hunters and recreational shooters in our country” said Senator Risch, CSC Co-Chair, “Whether for the purpose of putting food on the table, for game management purposes, or for passing a tradition down to other generations, hunting and shooting sports are important for many reasons. This update to the Pittman-Robertson Fund will provide state agencies the tools they need to provide and enhance recreational opportunities for all Americans who enjoy the outdoors.” 

“As an avid sportsman, I know firsthand that our hunting and fishing heritage is so important to who we are as West Virginians and as Americans,” Senator Manchin said. “The Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act will help continue this important heritage for hunters, anglers, recreational shooters and outdoor enthusiasts in West Virginia and throughout the country.  It will allow for the continued operation and maintenance of our wildlife management areas while helping protect the important traditions that our nation’s outdoors offer to generations of Americans.”      

 “Nebraskans take pride in our outdoor recreation heritage,” said Senator Fischer. “Through this bipartisan legislation, we can update our laws to provide greater opportunities for America’s sportsmen and sportswomen. This update will improve access to recreation facilities without raising taxes, and I’m proud to be an original cosponsor.”

 “For generations North Dakota has been home to vast opportunities for families and sportsmen who appreciate our state’s great outdoors,” said Senator Heitkamp. “This bipartisan update to the Pittman-Robertson fund will help give our state the needed tools to promote recreational opportunities for North Dakotans – as well as sportsmen from near and far – to help protect our proud tradition of recreation and respect for our land.”

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