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The House voted 215-202 to pass the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, which limits the federal government's ability to ban lead ammunition and fishing tackle on public lands.
This bill, known as the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, prevents the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture from implementing broad bans on the use of lead ammunition or fishing tackle on federal lands and waters. While it generally protects the use of lead products for hunting and fishing, it allows for narrow exceptions if federal agencies can prove with local data that lead is causing a wildlife population decline in a specific area and if the state government agrees with the restriction. This was a final vote on the passage of the bill in the House of Representatives. In the House, most bills require a simple majority—more than half of the members voting—to pass. Because the bill received 215 'yes' votes against 202 'no' votes, it successfully moved through this stage of the legislative process. The vote followed strict party lines, with nearly all Republicans supporting the measure and the vast majority of Democrats opposing it. Having passed the House, the bill now moves to the Senate for consideration, where it has been referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
The bill has been sent to the Senate and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works for review.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. The bill represents a conflict between traditional hunting/fishing access and wildlife conservation efforts. Proponents argue it protects outdoor heritage and keeps costs down, while opponents argue it hampers the government's ability to protect species from lead poisoning.
Who’s affected. Hunters and Anglers: Would be able to continue using lead-based equipment on most federal lands without facing broad bans. · Federal Land Managers: Would face stricter legal hurdles and require state approval before restricting lead use on public lands. · Wildlife Conservationists: May find it more difficult to implement protections for animals susceptible to lead exposure in federal habitats.
Democrats. The Democratic caucus overwhelmingly opposed the bill, with 90 members voting no and only 7 voting yes.
Republicans. Republicans nearly unanimously supported the bill, with 100 members voting yes and only 1 voting no.
On Passage
Mar 18, 2026
The House voted 215-202 to pass the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, which limits the federal government's ability to ban lead ammunition and fishing tackle on public lands.
This was the final vote in the House of Representatives to approve the bill's text. Passing this vote is the last step required before a bill is sent to the Senate.
The bill has been sent to the Senate and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works for review.
The bill represents a conflict between traditional hunting/fishing access and wildlife conservation efforts. Proponents argue it protects outdoor heritage and keeps costs down, while opponents argue it hampers the government's ability to protect species from lead poisoning.
The vote was almost entirely split along party lines, with Republicans providing the necessary votes for passage while Democrats largely opposed the measure.
The Democratic caucus overwhelmingly opposed the bill, with 90 members voting no and only 7 voting yes.
Republicans nearly unanimously supported the bill, with 100 members voting yes and only 1 voting no.
The lone independent member voted in favor of the bill.