Washington, DC—Today, the House Natural Resources Committee “marked up” U.S. Representative John Rose’s bipartisan Black Vulture Relief Act, which allows livestock producers and their employees to take black vultures without a permit if it is believed the vulture will harm or threaten to harm their livestock.
A committee markup is the process of reviewing, debating, amending, and revising legislation before it is considered on the House Floor. It is oftentimes the crucial last step to modify a bill’s language before it is voted on by the entire U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S. Representative John Rose released the following statement:
“I applaud the Natural Resources Committee and Chairman Westerman for advancing my bipartisan bill the Black Vulture Relief Act,” said Rep. Rose. “The Black Vulture Relief Act will cut burdensome red tape for farmers struggling to find a solution to the growing problem black vultures pose to livestock operations. Given the common-sense nature and support for this bill, I remain hopeful it will receive a vote on the House Floor and continue on its way to being signed into law to provide relief for livestock producers.”
Chairman Bruce Westerman released the following statement:
“Livestock producers are at the frontline of America’s food supply and know the threats to their operation better than anyone. By passing the Black Vulture Relief Act, producers can defend their herds by taking a black vulture without a permit if it could cause injury or death to livestock. I thank Representative Rose for defending American farmers, ranchers, and producers and implementing this commonsense legislation.”
U.S. Representative Darren Soto released the following statement:
“Our farmers and ranchers in Central Florida face a variety of obstacles as they work to care for their livestock. By giving them permission to take black vultures before they harm their livestock and cause further issues, we are improving the likelihood of their success and growth.”
Background:
U.S. Rep. John Rose introduced the Black Vulture Relief Act in March of 2023 alongside Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL). The bill is currently cosponsored by 41 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In July of 2023, Rep. Rose spoke in support of the Black Vulture Relief Act during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on the bill.
The bill is being supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, Tennessee Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, and the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI).
U.S. Representative John Rose is currently serving his third term representing Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District and resides in Cookeville with his wife, Chelsea, and their two sons, Guy and Sam. The Sixth District includes Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, and White counties as well as portions of Davidson, Scott, Warren, and Wilson counties. Representative Rose is an eighth-generation farmer, small business owner, and attorney, and currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee and House Agriculture Committee.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://johnrose.house.gov/media/press-releases/us-rep-john-roses-black-vulture-relief-act-marked-house-committee-natural