Senate Amendment to Reinstate Staff at DOI, Forest Service Fails

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

February 21, 2025 

CONTACT: 

Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy and Government Relations, mcarthur@backcountryhunters.org 

Senate Amendment to Reinstate Staff at DOI, Forest Service Fails 

A critical opportunity to support America’s public lands and reinstate thousands of federal employees vital to natural resource management went unrealized last night. 

Washington, D.C. – An amendment aimed at reinstating thousands of fired federal employees at the Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service fell short by a narrow margin of 48-52 last night, leaving critical land management roles unfilled and jeopardizing the effective stewardship of America’s public lands and waters. Introduced by Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) during an extended series of budget reconciliation votes, the amendment would have restored the federal workforce responsible for maintaining infrastructure, advancing habitat restoration projects, improving wildfire resiliency, supporting emergency response and more. As the nation’s leading nonprofit solely dedicated to the conservation of our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) readily supported the amendment. 

“The staffing cuts recently made at the Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service severely impact agencies that collectively represent less than one percent of the federal budget, and they aren’t just line items. These positions are responsible for managing the invaluable natural resources vital to millions of Americans who rely on our public lands for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Kaden McArthur, BHA’s Director of Policy & Government Relations. “With growing pressures on our public lands, including increased visitation, spread of invasive species, and wildfires, the long-term consequences of this decision, if not immediately addressed, have the potential to cause devastating damage to the already understaffed agencies and the natural resources they steward.” 

BHA will continue to closely monitor the impacts of these staffing cuts and remain vigilant in advocating for the responsible management of our public lands, waters, and wildlife. As more information becomes available, BHA is committed to providing regular updates to its members, supporters, and the broader public—ensuring transparency and keeping conservation at the forefront of national policy discussions. To stay up to date, join BHA, here.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure North America's outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. To learn more about issues important to BHA’s membership, visit www.backcountryhunters.org/our_issues. 

About Nadia Marji

Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers