We should not be protecting tropical birds of prey over American livestock
By Cong. August Pfluger
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Texas Insider Report) — In the past two decades, destructive Caracara birds of prey have taken up residence throughout Texas and Louisiana. Despite being a predatory invasive species, the Crested Caracara is currently a protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), which prohibits the taking of – including killing, capturing, selling, trading, and transport – of protected migratory bird species without prior authorization by the Department of Interior's U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Livestock producers in our district have seen a significant increase in the number of lambs killed by Caracaras in recent years, and because these predators are protected, it is currently illegal for producers to protect their livestock from these birds of prey without explicit permission from the federal government.
As a result, I introduced legislation to allow producers to protect their livestock from Crested Caracaras (tropical black and white falcons that behave like vultures,) that are killing, injuring, or causing destruction to livestock.
My legislation restores the ability of livestock producers to protect their herds against Caracaras. We should not be protecting tropical birds of prey over American livestock.
Protecting Taxpayer Dollars in Broadband Investment
As a member of the Communications & Technology Subcommittee, I have been working to help close the digital divide, which greatly affects our district and much of rural America.
I am proud to introduce the House companion bill to Senator Rick Scott’s (R-FL) Broadband Buildout Accountability Act to increase transparency for the $42 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Package (BIF) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program grant awarded to the National Technology Information Administration (NTIA) that is currently exempted from transparency requirements under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
The Broadband Buildout Accountability Act would remove the FOIA exemption and require proof of how the $42 billion is spent to ensure taxpayer dollars are not subject to fraud, waste, or misuse.
Congressman August Pfluger represents a total of 29 Counties in Texas’ 11th Congressional District – which also includes the cities of San Angelo, Llano, Brownwood, Granbury, Midland, Odessa, and much of the top Oil & Gas Rroducing Region in America, West Texas' Permian Basin.
