Victory For Gray Wolves: Congress Rejects Anti‑Wolf Rider In Funding Bill

In a significant victory for gray wolves, the U.S. Congress has passed the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, without including an anti‑wolf rider that advocates had warned would undermine Endangered Species Act protections.

The bill, which funds the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies through September 30, 2026, passed the House by a vote of 397–28 and the Senate by a vote of 82–15. It provides $38.6 billion in discretionary funding for programs including tribal initiatives, national parks, public lands, and wildfire management.

Earlier versions of the FY 26 Interior Appropriations bill included policy riders targeting wolves in certain states, according to advocacy campaigns. Conservation groups warned that these riders would weaken protections for wolves and other endangered species under the ESA.

Thanks to grassroots advocacy, those riders were removed from the final legislation. The Wolf Conservation Center highlighted the victory in a post stating:

“Your howls worked! The House and Senate passed the FY26 Interior Appropriations bill with NO anti‑wolf rider, ensuring funding for the Interior Department through the end of September 2026.

“Over 4,200 of you took action on behalf of wolves and let your legislators know funding bills should focus on just that – funding. Not prematurely and unscientifically stripping protections from endangered species.”

While the appropriations act heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law, the removal of the anti‑wolf provision means that federal protections for gray wolves under the ESA remain in place.

However, threats remain. The Wolf Conservation Center reminds advocates that H.R. 845, Rep. Boebert’s bill, is still an active threat. Supporters are urged to continue contacting their senators to ensure it does not pass the Senate.