WASHINGTON (August 4, 2026) – Today, the Public Lands Council (PLC) urged the Senate to pass S. 1306 and thanked Senator Ron Johnson R-Wis., for elevating this critical issue on behalf of livestock producers. The legislation would reissue the 2020 rule delisting gray wolves in the lower 48 states returning management authority to the states and is the Senate companion to the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, which passed the House in late 2025 with bipartisan support. Earlier today, Sen. Johnson took to the Senate floor and sought unanimous consent to pass the legislation. While the request was met with an objection, PLC remains committed to advancing this commonsense measure and urge Senate leadership to give the bill the consideration it deserves.
“The science has been clear across both Democrat and Republican administrations: the gray wolf has recovered. Animal activist groups have weaponized the Endangered Species Act in court to keep wolves listed, leaving rural communities to manage abundant apex predator populations with limited tools. Ranchers and rural communities across the West face economic and emotional strain as wolf populations that prey on livestock and pets. We strongly urge the Senate to pass this critical legislation and restore state management authority,” said Tim Canterbury, PLC president and Colorado rancher.
Posted: August 4, 2026