July 9, 2014 — A bipartisan bill designed to expand wetlands protection and improve access to fishing and hunting on federal lands may be derailed.
Republicans objected Wednesday when Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid called for a vote on the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014, without consideration of amendments. GOP senators can refuse to vote for cloture, which requires 60 votes, and thereby block final passage.
Sen. David Vitter, R-La., had proposed amendments to give states more authority over red snapper fishing regulations and to require more transparency for what he says are closed meetings of the Regional Fishery Management Councils. The councils set limits on fishing seasons to prevent over fishing.
Read the full story at the New Orleans Times-Picayune