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The House passed the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, which removes gray wolves from the federal endangered species list and prohibits court challenges against this decision.
This bill, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act (H.R. 845), requires the Secretary of the Interior to remove gray wolves from the federal list of endangered and threatened species. It specifically mandates the re-issuance of a 2020 rule that delisted the species. Crucially, the bill includes a provision that prevents the reissued rule from being reviewed or challenged in any court, effectively ending ongoing legal battles over the wolf's protected status. This was a vote on "Passage," which is the final stage for a bill in the House of Representatives. In the House, passage typically requires a simple majority—meaning more members must vote "yes" than "no." Because this vote passed, the bill is now officially approved by this chamber and can move forward in the legislative process. The bill passed with a narrow margin of 211 to 204, reflecting a sharp divide between the parties. Following this vote, the legislation was sent to the Senate for consideration. If the Senate also passes the bill and the President signs it into law, federal protections for gray wolves would be eliminated quickly, and the decision would be immune to lawsuits from environmental groups.
The bill has been received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This vote is a major step in the long-running political and legal battle over wolf conservation, prioritizing agricultural protection and state control over federal species management.
Who’s affected. Ranchers and Farmers: Would gain more authority to manage or kill wolves that threaten livestock without federal legal penalties. · Environmental Advocacy Groups: Would lose their primary tool for protecting the species, as the bill specifically bars them from suing to stop the delisting. · State Wildlife Agencies: Would take over the full cost and responsibility of monitoring wolf populations and setting hunting seasons.
Democrats. The vast majority of the Democratic caucus voted against the bill, generally favoring continued federal protections for the gray wolf.
Republicans. Republicans overwhelmingly supported the bill, arguing that wolf populations have recovered and that management should return to states and ranchers.
On Passage
Dec 18, 2025
The House passed the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, which removes gray wolves from the federal endangered species list and prohibits court challenges against this decision.
This was the final vote in the House of Representatives to approve the bill. It required a simple majority of those present and voting to pass.
The bill has been received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
This vote is a major step in the long-running political and legal battle over wolf conservation, prioritizing agricultural protection and state control over federal species management.
The vote was almost entirely split along party lines, with Republicans supporting the delisting and Democrats opposing it.
The vast majority of the Democratic caucus voted against the bill, generally favoring continued federal protections for the gray wolf.
Republicans overwhelmingly supported the bill, arguing that wolf populations have recovered and that management should return to states and ranchers.
One independent member voted in favor of the bill.