The Agriculture bill is now moving forward to a vote. While I'm sure there are many ways to improve it, one amendment in particular is important. It's not just about the money, it's speaking up for those that can't speak for themselves.
The DeFazio-Campbell amendment to H.R. 2112 will "nix funding -- and save $11 million -- for 'campaigns for the destruction of wild animals for the purpose of protecting livestock.'"
I received the alert from the Center for Biological Diversity, which seems to be doing a great job.
Here is the sample letter they sent:
Sample letter to Congress:
Subject: Vote to Cut Funding for Destroying Wildlife
Please vote Yes on the DeFazio-Campbell amendment to H.R. 2112, the Department of Agriculture spending bill, to nix funding -- and save $11 million -- for "campaigns for the destruction of wild animals for the purpose of protecting livestock."
This program began in 1915 and was responsible for the extermination of wolves and other wildlife in an era before today's scientific understanding of the importance of predators to their ecosystems.
In an era of huge budget deficits, it is not right to continue a federal program of destroying wildlife (often on public land) for private gain. Many other methods are available to protect livestock, such as herders and shepherds, close-quarter lambing and calving operations, and even fladry -- colored strips of plastic hung on a fence that discourage wolves from crossing over.
Your vote on this amendment will signal whether you are serious about reducing federal expenditures and whether you share my concern for wildlife. Please vote Yes to cut this destructive line item.
Thank you.
Please take action by June 15, 2011.
Here's an action link: http://action.biologicaldiversity.org/...
In addition, if anyone has other amendments they like to discuss, feel free to post them. The vote is coming up soon, and it's a really big bill.