Bill would protect hunters, anglers from Biden regulatory overreach

NEWS AND OPINION:

Congress is lingering in the great outdoors — so to speak — for a while this week.

Let’s take a look at H.R. 615, otherwise known as the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2023, introduced by Rep. Rob Wittman, Virginia Republican.

Plainly put, the legislation “stops the Biden administration’s Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture from banning lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands and waters for hunting and fishing, unless the regulation is consistent with state laws and supported by science,” according to a brief overview that the office of House Majority Leader Stave Scalise shared with Inside the Beltway.

“Each year, hunters and fishers contribute over a billion dollars to conservation funding through excise taxes on recreational hunting and fishing equipment, like tackle and ammunition – the most cost-effective options being lead ammunition and fishing tackle. The raw material alternatives to lead tackle and ammo are significantly more expensive: Copper ammo is four times more expensive than lead ammo, and using tin for fishing tackle is over 10 times more expensive than using lead,” the overview stated.

“This ban would affect millions of Americans who use traditional lead ammunition and tackle, as well as put wildlife conservation funding sources at risk, threatening conservation efforts instead of aiding them,” it continued.

“Sportsmen and women know what it means to sustainably utilize America’s natural resources and great outdoors so that our lands are left in better condition than before – that’s the nature of hunting and fishing. Banning lead ammunition and tackle and making it harder for Americans to responsibly enjoy outdoor recreation will do nothing to help conserve our lands: It will only prevent conservationists who can’t afford to spend more on ammo or tackle from continuing healthy recreational use of our federal lands,” the overview concluded.

STEP BY STEP

The Kennedy-Shanahan ticket is now on the ballot in California.

The American Independent Party of California has nominated independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and running mate Nicole Shanahan, filing the paperwork Tuesday with the California secretary of state.

“The Kennedy campaign has launched a robust ballot access plan to ensure the Kennedy-Shanahan ticket is on the ballot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia,” the campaign said in a statement.

“The Kennedy-Shanahan ticket is officially on the ballot in Utah and Michigan. The campaign has collected enough signatures for ballot access in seven additional states — New Hampshire, Nevada, Hawaii, North Carolina, Idaho, Nebraska, and Iowa,” the Monday statement said.

And more news is coming.

“Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will make a major announcement at a press conference in New York City on Wednesday, May 1,” the campaign added.

There were no further details, but the conference is certainly worth monitoring.

One more thing: Ms. Shanahan is launching a video podcast and social media push of her own on Wednesday as part of a broader media strategy to reach young voters ahead of the election, according to Axios.

“I have heard the comments that like I’m not getting out there fast enough, and I am moving as fast as I can. People will be seeing much, much more of me in the coming months,” Ms. Shanahan told the news organization.

FOXIFIED

In April, both in prime time and throughout the day, Fox News remained cable news’ most-watched channel, according to Nielsen Media Research.

The ratings victory makes it 39 consecutive months for Fox as the top dog in prime time, thanks to an April average daily audience of 1.9 million viewers. It’s also the 38th straight month as the most-watched channel throughout the day, with an April audience of 1.3 million viewers.

In addition, the network aired 92 of the top 100 cable news telecasts in April.

“The Five” continued its reign as the most popular program of all with an average daily audience of 3 million, followed by “Jesse Watters Primetime” (2.6 million), “Hannity” (2.2 million), “Gutfeld” (2.1 million), and “Special Report,” also with 2.1 million.

The aforementioned late-night host Greg Gutfeld and a smart, clever cast that includes such regulars as Kat Timpf and former professional wrestler Tyrus continues to outpace the network competition. “Gutfeld’s” April numbers trounced CBS’ “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” and “After Midnight,” ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Late Night With Seth Meyers.”

Interestingly enough, Fox News has also emerged as the top cable news destination for Hispanic viewers.

On weekends, “Sunday Morning Futures,” hosted by Maria Bartiromo, ranked first for the entire slate of weekend programming, averaging 1.6 million daily viewers over the course of the month.

NIGHTSTAND READING

“The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has released the Annual Statistical Transparency Report (ASTR) Regarding the Intelligence Community’s (IC) Use of National Security Surveillance Authorities for Calendar Year 2023. The report, published every year since 2014, provides the public with statistics and context regarding the government’s use of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act authorities, National Security Letters, and other national security authorities,” the ODNI said in an advisory released Tuesday.

“This report provides insights into the rigorous, multi-layered oversight framework that governs the IC, and the release of this report is consistent with the requirement in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, as amended (codified in 50 U.S.C. § 1873(b)), and the IC’s commitment to the Principles of Intelligence Transparency,” the advisory said.

Find the 42-page publication at ODNI.gov.

POLL DU JOUR

• 55% of U.S. adults say Donald Trump’s four years in office were a “success”; 92% of Republicans, 51% of independents and 24% of Democrats agree.

• 84% of conservatives, 50% of moderates and 25% of liberals also agree.

• 58% of men and 53% of women also agree.

• 44% overall say his four years in office were a “failure”; 8% of Republicans, 49% of independents and 76% of Democrats agree.

• 16% of conservatives, 50% of moderates and 75% of liberals also agree.

• 42% of men and 46% of women also agree.

SOURCE: A CNN/SSRS poll of 1,212 U.S. adults conducted by telephone and online April 18-23.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @Harperbulletin, on Facebook @Harperuniverse.