{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.merkley.senate.gov/alsobrooks-cramer-merkley-curtis-introduce-legislation-to-reauthorize-wildlife-crossings-program/", "ALSOBROOKS, CRAMER, MERKLEY, CURTIS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REAUTHORIZE WILDLIFE CROSSINGS PROGRAM", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", "merkley", "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "\u201cThe Wildlife Crossings Program at the Federal Highway Administration provides a unique opportunity to protect both our wildlife and our drivers \u2013 it is a true win-win. I am proud of the ongoing work in Maryland to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions across our state and look forward to supporting Maryland\u2019s efforts by reauthorizing this important program. I want to thank Senators Cramer, Merkley, and Curtis for their partnership on this legislation,\u201d said Senator Alsobrooks.\n\n\u201cThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created the Wildlife Crossings Program to better protect people and animals from the dangers of vehicle collisions, especially in rural states like North Dakota where the two frequently cross paths,\u201d said Senator Cramer. \u201cOur bill reauthorizes and expands the program to support infrastructure projects directly aimed at improving roadway safety. I\u2019m grateful to Senator Alsobrooks for her leadership of this bipartisan effort, which will benefit critters and communities across the nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cWildlife crossings safeguard wildlife and protect drivers from dangerous collisions and costly damages to their vehicles,\u201d said Senator Merkley. \u201cThanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Congress made a once-in-a-generation investment in these crossings, supercharging projects such as the I-5 wildlife crossing in Southern Oregon. Federal investments like this ensure we can continue to build on this progress for years to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn Utah, we\u2019ve long understood that protecting our natural heritage and keeping people safe go hand in hand,\u201d said Senator Curtis. \u201cThe Wildlife Crossings Program is a smart, science-backed solution that reflects those values, and I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in the effort to reauthorize this important program.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Congressional Sportsmen\u2019s Foundation (CSF) is excited to see Senators Alsobrooks, Cramer, Curtis, and Merkley introduce the bipartisan Wildlife Crossings Program Reauthorization Act. There are an estimated 1 to 2 million wildlife vehicle collisions annually, which are not only a threat to wildlife but are also a threat to human safety,\u201d said CSF Senior Vice President Taylor Schmitz. \u201cGiven the widespread success and overwhelming demand for the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program first established in 2021, it is critical to reauthorize this effort to sustain wildlife populations and increase human safety on our nation\u2019s roads. We look forward to working closely with Senators Alsobrooks, Cramer, Curtis, and Merkley to see this effort become law.\u201d\n\n\u201cNational Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) supports this solutions-focused policy that would benefit public safety and national park wildlife alike,\u201d said National Parks Conservation Association Legislative Director Christina Hazard. \u201cFrom elk herds at Theodore Roosevelt to black bears in Catoctin Mountain, our national parks provide habitat for an incredible range of wildlife, which also supports strong tourism and outdoor recreation economies. In a time where common ground is hard to come by, polling results found that 87% of Americans support restoring or preserving wildlife habitat connectivity and improving migration corridors on lands and waters within and beyond park borders. NPCA urges Congress to support and advance this incredible investment in America\u2019s national parks.\u201d\n\n\u201cWildlife crossings on America\u2019s highways increase motorist safety, ensure habitat connectivity, and save countless dollars by preventing vehicle-wildlife collisions,\u201d said Joel Pedersen, President and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. \u201cTRCP thanks Senator Alsobrooks, Senator Cramer, Senator Merkley and Senator Curtis for their foresight and leadership to introduce legislation that would increase public safety while supporting the wildlife populations that American sportsmen and women depend upon.\u201d\n\n\u201cReauthorizing the Wildlife Crossings Program is a priority for state fish and wildlife agencies to enhance the movement of wildlife and ensure safer roads,\u201d said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. \u201cEvery year, more than 1 million wildlife-vehicle collisions are reported across the United States, resulting in human and wildlife fatalities and costing billions of dollars in damages. We know there are proven solutions \u2013 such as culverts, bridges and tunnels that allow animals to migrate safely \u2013 to reduce these incidents and save lives. We applaud Senators Alsobrooks, Cramer, Merkley, and Curtis for the bipartisan introduction of this important bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe wildlife crossings program created by Congress in 2021 has proven to be one of the most effective, popular, and bipartisan actions Congress has taken on wildlife in recent decades. It has delivered real results on the ground by saving lives, creating jobs, improving outdoor recreation, and maintaining magnificent wildlife migrations. We are glad so many Senators from both parties are working hard to reauthorize the wildlife crossings program and find more ways for Tribes and other communities to participate,\u201d said Mike Leahy, senior director for wildlife, hunting, and fishing policy for the National Wildlife Federation. \u201cThank you to the bill\u2019s sponsors for their work to reauthorize and increase funding for the national wildlife crossings program.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.merkley.senate.gov/alsobrooks-cramer-merkley-curtis-introduce-legislation-to-reauthorize-wildlife-crossings-program/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5989230014383793, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}