Torres Small: Washington Works Together to Deliver Another Win for New Mexico's Outdoors

Press Release

Today, Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02) applauds the passage of the bipartisan America's Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act, which passed the House by a voice vote and will reauthorize critical wildlife conservation programs, in addition to addressing the threats of emerging wildlife diseases and invasive species. The legislation unanimously passed the U.S. Senate last week and now heads to the President's desk.

The bill's passage follows Torres Small's efforts calling on House leadership to pass the legislation, highlighting the immense benefits to New Mexico's Second Congressional District's outdoor recreation industry, hunting, and fishing communities.

"I applaud Congress' work to once again come together and pass bipartisan legislation in support of our public lands and wildlife. The ACE Act is a victory for hunters, anglers, and conservationists across New Mexico, taking another important step to support our outdoor recreation industry and conserving natural habitats across our state. I'm proud to have fought to get this legislation to the House floor, and now, to the President's desk so we can continue to protect our public lands for generations to come," said Torres Small.

Specifically, the ACE Act reauthorizes the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act until 2025. The legislation also:

Establishes a Chronic Wasting Disease task force to develop an interstate action plan for state and federal cooperation relating to the disease;
Commissions a study by the National Academy of Sciences regarding the pathways and mechanisms of the transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease in the United States;
Encourages partnerships among public agencies and other interested parties for promoting fish conservation;
Establishes a program to provide grants to states and Indian tribes to compensate livestock producers for losses due to predation by federally protected species;
Establishes a Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize for technological innovation to reduce human-predator conflict using non-lethal means.

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