Salazar’s Migratory Birds Protection Legislation Signed Into Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, President Biden signed H.R. 4389, Rep. María Elvira Salazar’s (R-FL) Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act, into law. This comes shortly after the legislation passed overwhelmingly in the House of Representatives and Senate.

“The passage of this bill represents a historic step forward in the protection of our South Florida ecosystem,” said Rep. Salazar. “The federal government has made a significant investment in protecting our migratory birds by directing critical funding towards research and conservation efforts. This is a major win for South Florida – birds and humans alike.”

The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) provides competitive grants for habitat conservation, research and monitoring, and community outreach and education. The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023 reauthorizes this program for the next 5 years. This bill will fund projects in the Western Hemisphere that have a positive impact on migratory birds.

Congresswoman Salazar is a champion of animal welfare and took to the floor of the House of Representatives to urge her colleagues to support this legislation. To listen to her full remarks, click here.

BACKGROUND:

Since 1970, the North American bird population has declined by 3 billion birds, and federal efforts are instrumental in protecting and conserving these species. According to the National Audubon Society, more than 700 projects funded by the NMBCA have positively impacted more than 5 million acres of migratory bird habitat in the U.S., Canada, and more than 40 nations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean since 2002. Migratory birds also provide significant value to the nation. According to a recent survey, more than 96 million people engaged in birdwatching in 2022, and migratory bird populations drive an essential part of the wildlife-associated recreation sector that spent $394 billion last year, supporting an economic engine that benefits communities throughout the country. By continuing to make these investments, we can conserve more birds migrating from thousands of miles away and help ensure they have the necessary habitat for their migrations.

The passage of the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act is Congresswoman Salazar’s seventh bill to be signed into law. Other key policies sponsored by Rep. Salazar that have been enacted into law include:

• The COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Relief Act to provide economic relief for Floridians.
  • Implemented by the Biden Administration in March 2021.
• The Reinforcing Nicaragua’s Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform (RENACER) Act to sanction the Ortega Regime in Nicaragua.
  • Signed into law in November 2021.
• The PRICE Act to make it easier for small businesses to get federal contracts.
  • Signed into law in February 2022.
• The Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act to reauthorize critical funding for programs that address mental health and substance abuse issues.
  • Signed into law in December 2022.
• The REEF Act to incentivize retired Navy ships to be sunk and used as artificial reefs in marine ecosystems across America.
  • Signed into law in December 2023.
• The RECLAIM Taxpayer Funds Act to recover billions in fraudulent government loans and restore fiscal responsibility and government accountability.
  • Implemented by the Biden Administration in December 2023.
• The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act to protect migratory birds and their habitat, which is critical for the Everglades.
  • Signed into law April 2024.

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