Costa Conservation Legislation Signed into Law

Press Release

Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after President Biden signed into law his bipartisan bill, H.R. 6023 -- Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act, which will require the United States Postal Service (USPS) to sell approximately 45 million Save Vanishing Species Stamps left in stock to raise money for wildlife conservation.

"This is a significant win to preserve wildlife conservation efforts worldwide," said Costa. "I am proud that President Biden signed my bipartisan bill into law, which will generate millions in funding to sustain wildlife conservation without expense to U.S. taxpayers. Purchasing this stamp is an inexpensive and voluntary way to safeguard some of the most vulnerable species around the globe for generations to come."

Congressman Costa introduced the bill with Rep. John Katko (NY-24) in November 2021, and it passed both the House and Senate unanimously.

The Vanishing Species Semi-Postal Stamp is sold by the USPS at a slightly higher cost than a first-class stamp. The additional proceeds supplement the Multinational Species Conservation Funds, which support conservation efforts that save vulnerable species worldwide. Almost 51 million stamps have been sold since going on sale in 2011, raising nearly $6 million for conservation at no direct cost to U.S. taxpayers.

Sales of the Save Vanishing Species Stamp -- also known as the Tiger Stamp -- raise additional funds for the protection of iconic species, including tigers, elephants, rhinos, marine turtles, and great apes, at no additional cost to taxpayers.

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