Case, Moylan Announce Full U.S. House Passage Of Their Bipartisan Bill To Combat Invasive Species

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (D-HI-01) and U.S. Congressman James Moylan (R-Guam) announced that the U.S. House recently voted 371-33 to approve their National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act, which would significantly expand federal efforts to combat invasive species, responsible for severely impacting environments across the country. “Hawai‘i in particular faces unique challenges from invasive species. Our isolation has led to the evolution of many endemic species that are found nowhere else on Earth,” said Case, who formerly served six years on the House Natural Resources Committee and is in his eighth year on the House Appropriations Committee. “Our measure is especially timely as we reckon with the wide-ranging ripple effect of the recent storms that have struck the state, including accelerated spread of destructive invasive species especially in vulnerable places such as our national wildlife refuges. “In Hawai‘i, invasive species have caused significant ecological damage, threatening the survival of native birds and plants. Protecting Hawaii’s unique biodiversity is not just an environmental necessity – it is a cultural imperative that reflects the identity and heritage of the Hawaiian people.” “For island communities like Guam, invasive species are more than an environmental concern - they threaten our ecosystems, agriculture, economy, and way of life, said Congressman Moylan. “Once an invasive species takes hold on an island, the cost of eradication can be enormous, and the damage may be impossible to reverse. “I’m proud to see the House pass this bipartisan legislation to strengthen early detection and rapid response within our National Wildlife Refuge System. Prevention is our best defense, and investing in it today will help protect America’s natural resources, preserve our unique biodiversity, and save taxpayers from far greater costs down the road. I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this important legislation forward.” “Tropical storms and hurricanes (and other extreme weather) cause havoc to endemic species, even in refuges,” said Jonetta “Jonee” Leina ‘ala Peters, Executive Director of the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i. “ “Hawai‘i struggles already with the onslaught of other issues that cause extinctions, being insular is a huge issue, (our species have nowhere to escape these threats). “We are now seeing and experiencing the effects of global warming or climate change. “Storms do increase habitat destruction with damage to forests, rivers and streams, as well as coastal marine resources, bringing disturbances to ecosystems. These weather events also spread aggressive non-native invasive species (both plants and animals) to vulnerable areas which take hold and flourish. And, of course, these storms destroy native flora as well.” “Invasive species are putting increased pressure on native wildlife and are especially damaging across our national wildlife refuges,” said Jill Feldhusen, senior manager of wildlife policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “By establishing dedicated, regional strike teams, this bipartisan bill helps refuges respond more rapidly to invasive species threats before they cause lasting harm. Thank you, Representative Ed Case, for reintroducing the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act and broadening the impact of cross-jurisdictional collaboration. Case continued: “Invasive species are not just a localized problem; they pose a significant threat to the integrity of our natural world. Addressing this crisis requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach, focusing on prevention, early detection, and effective management strategies to safeguard our vulnerable ecosystems. “This legislation will codify the existing Invasive Species Strike Teams program currently operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). These specialized teams play an essential role in managing emerging invasive species, employing strategies tailored to local conditions across the National Wildlife Refuge System. “With multiple teams strategically positioned in all nine FWS regions across our country, they are on the front lines, addressing the unique challenges posed by invasive species.” Case said formally establishing the Invasive Species Strike Teams program will create a stable and legally supported framework to ensure consistent funding and enhance management efforts. The act also signifies a transformative shift within the FWS, moving from a reactive, species-by-species approach to a more strategic, ecosystem-wide framework for managing emerging invasive species. “The act also mandates enhanced coordination and reporting through integrated systems and standardized procedures, ensuring transparency and enabling us to track progress with annual reports to Congress and the public,” said Case. “Furthermore, it authorizes $10 million annually from Fiscal Year 2027 through 2033 to support ongoing initiatives.” Case introduced the measure after federal invasive species experts toured O‘ahu to research the effects of invasive species on island communities. The bill now move on to the Senate. Video of Case remarks on the floor of the U.S. House is here Text of Case remarks is here Text of H.R. 4219 is here Photo of both Case and Moylan attached ###