Recap The Year With SCI’s Federal Advocacy Team

Elections:

SCI enjoyed tremendous success in the 2024 elections bringing pro-hunting legislators back to Congress and helping new candidates find big wins. SCI endorsed and supported candidates all over the country, including some of the tightest races nationwide. Our support made the difference, and SCI endorsed candidates were successful 94% of the time!

SCI endorsed President Donald Trump, who visited the Hunters’ Embassy in Washington, D.C. this fall. We are excited to have another four years of pro-hunting leadership in the White House!

Senate by the Numbers:

• 14 Wins
• 1 Loss

House by the Numbers:

• 75 Wins
• 5 Losses

 

Legislation:

To end the 118^th Congress, SCI saw the passage of several priority bills:

1. The United States Foundation for International Conservation Act: – This bill will establish the United States Foundation for International Conservation (USFIC), a public/private funded effort to drive $1 billion towards international conservation over the next 5 years. The funds are to be directed to nations who, among other stability requirements, direct the money towards improvement efforts such as sustainable use hunting conservation.

 

2. The Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization (WILD) Act – This bill will reauthorize the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and the programs that make up the Multinational Species Conservation Fund through fiscal year 2028. On October 18th, Safari Club International’s Ben Cassidy testified before Congress to express SCI’s support of the WILD Act, but also to emphasize areas where implementation can be improved and where the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can do more to bolster community-based conservation efforts. See Ben’s full testimony here.

 

3. The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act –  This bill packages many improvements for outdoor recreation and will make it easier for disabled hunters to go afield, improve and build public shooting ranges, and reduce barriers for America’s hunters to access public land.

 

4. The America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act – This bill funds several wildlife conservation programs, such as North American Wetlands Conservation Fund, the Chesapeake Bay Program and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, through 2030.

 

In 2024, the Safari Club International Hunters’ Embassy in Washington, D.C. hosted:

 

• 5 Lunch and Learns with total attendance over 130 Congressional staffers.

 

• 4 Policy Roundtables hosted by members of the US House and Senate

 

• 10 Congressional fundraising events.

 

• 1 book signing event with former Navy SEAL and bestselling author Jack Carr.

 

• 1 reception to celebrate the generous contributions of Johnny Morris and the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund to SCI and wildlife conservation.

 

• 1 SCI Lobby Day, with over 100 SCI members meeting with over 100 members of Congress in a single day to bring the hunter’s voice to Capitol Hill.