Years of Service: 2015-Present
Tenure: 114th – 119th Congresses
Rep. Bruce Westerman, an Arkansan with a master’s degree in forestry from the Yale School of the Environment, has become one of the most influential congressional opponents of federal wildlife protections. As chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, he has played a central role in advancing legislation that would weaken the Endangered Species Act, transfer greater authority to states, remove federal protections for gray wolves, and impede efforts to reduce the use of toxic lead ammunition, which hurts hunting families and indiscriminately poisons wildlife.. A critic of animal welfare policies and an ally of the NRA and the Safari Club International, Westerman has used his committee leadership position to shape the House’s broader approach to wildlife policy.
He has rarely supported animal welfare policies, notably by favoring extending prohibitions on animal fighting to the U.S. territories in a floor amendment to the House Farm bill in 2018. He led House opposition in the 117th Congress to the Big Cat Public Safety Act and was ultimately unsuccessful as the ranking member of the Committee on Natural Resources.
Wildlife issues have been a defining feature of Westerman’s congressional career. He has repeatedly argued that the Endangered Species Act requires substantial reform and has sponsored legislation aimed at reducing federal protections for listed species. In 2025, he introduced the ESA Amendments Act, a sweeping proposal that conservation organizations described as one of the most significant attempts in decades to weaken the Endangered Species Act. The measure became a major flashpoint in Congress before House leadership ultimately pulled it from floor consideration.
Westerman’s voting record reinforces that legislative agenda. He supported H.R. 845, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, which would remove federal Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves. He also championed H.R. 556, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, serving as one of its leading advocates in Congress. These actions reflect a consistent preference for reducing federal animal
protections and expanding state authority over wildlife management.
Farm-animal welfare issues present a similarly concerning record. Westerman voted for the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, which included language modeled on the Save Our Bacon Act. That provision would preempt state laws that condition the sale of certain livestock products on production standards, threatening measures such as California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’ Question 3. On that same bill, on House Roll Call Vote 149, Westerman voted for the Moore Amendment, which sought to exempt West Virginia from the federal prohibition on commercial greyhound racing, even though Arkansas bans the practice of greyhound racing.
In 2022, Westerman also led efforts to block the Big Cat Public Safety (BCPS) Act, which ended the trade in big cats for use as pets and halted commercial cub petting, placing him at odds with the majority of House, including dozens of Republican lawmakers, who voted the bill into law. In May 2026, in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Westerman also opposed an amendment to prohibit the export of American horses for slaughter for human consumption. That amendment to protect horse passed by a vote of 34 – 30, leaving Westerman on the losing side, as with the BCPS Act, which was signed into law by President Biden.
To his credit, Westerman has occasionally participated in bipartisan conservation efforts, including some work related to wildlife refuges and forest management. However, those initiatives have generally focused on land management and resource policy rather than strengthening protections for animals themselves. His overall record remains dominated by efforts to narrow the scope of federal wildlife laws and reduce regulatory protections for imperiled species.
Taken as a whole, Westerman’s record places him firmly in the Animal Opponent category. Unlike many members who simply vote with party leadership on animal-related legislation, Westerman has frequently been a leader and architect of efforts to weaken wildlife protections. His influence as committee chairman has amplified the impact of those positions well beyond his individual voting record.
Notable Actions
Key Votes in 119th Congress
❌ Voted in favor of the Moore Amendment (House Roll Call Vote 149), which sought to weaken the Farm Bill’s Greyhound Protection Act provisions by creating a special exemption allowing commercial greyhound racing to continue in West Virginia. The House rejected the amendment 237–178, preserving the national phaseout of greyhound racing and preventing a loophole that would have allowed the industry to continue operating in one state. This was a vote against stronger protections for racing greyhounds.
❌ Voted in favor of H.R. 845, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, legislation that removed federal Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves across much of the United States and restricted judicial review of future wolf-management decisions. The bill passed the House 211–204. This was a vote against wildlife conservation and endangered species protections.
❌ Voted in favor of H.R. 556, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, which prohibits federal land-management agencies from restricting the use of toxic lead ammunition and fishing tackle on public lands and waters. Lead ammunition and tackle can poison eagles, condors, swans, and other wildlife that ingest lead fragments or contaminated prey. The bill passed the House 215–202. This was a vote against efforts to protect wildlife from lead poisoning.
❌ Voted in favor of the Farm Bill (House Roll Call Vote 151), supporting legislation that included provisions to overturn state farm-animal confinement laws approved by voters in California and Massachusetts, while House leadership blocked votes on bipartisan amendments to ban horse slaughter, strengthen animal-fighting enforcement, and remove mink-industry subsidies. The bill passed the House 224–200. This was a vote against animal welfare, states’ rights, and stronger protections for farm animals, horses, dogs, and wildlife.
118th Congress
❌ Voted “YAY” on H.R. 764 (House Roll Call Vote 169), legislation to remove federal protections for gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act across most of the United States and return management authority to the states. Wildlife advocates warned that the bill would undermine science-based wildlife management and threaten the long-term recovery of gray wolf populations. The House passed the bill 209–205. A “Nay” vote is the pro-animal position.
❌ Voted “YAY” on H.R. 615 (House Roll Call Vote 167), legislation to bar the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture from prohibiting or regulating the use of toxic lead ammunition and fishing tackle on federal lands and waters made available for hunting or fishing. Lead ammunition and tackle poison wildlife, including eagles, loons, condors, and other animals that ingest spent lead fragments or lost fishing gear. The House passed the bill 214–201. A “Nay” vote is the pro-animal position.
117th Congress
❌ Voted “Nay” on the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (House Roll Call Vote 478), legislation to strengthen enforcement of the Horse Protection Act and finally end the cruel practice of “soring” Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses. Soring involves intentionally inflicting severe pain on horses’ legs and hooves through caustic chemicals, chains, pressure devices, or other abusive methods to force an exaggerated, high-stepping gait known as the “Big Lick.” The House passed the bill 333–96. An “Aye” vote is the pro-animal position.
116th Congress
❌ Voted “Nay”on the Big Cat Public Safety Act (House Roll Call Vote 478), legislation to prohibit private ownership and breeding of lions, tigers, and other big cats while restricting public contact with these dangerous wild animals. The bill was designed to curb the exploitation of big cats in roadside zoos and cub-petting operations, improve animal welfare, and enhance public safety by limiting private possession of these species. The House passed the bill 272–114. An “Aye” vote is the pro-animal position.