NEWS: Senator Blunt Rochester Discusses the Importance of Wildlife Preservation

“I think sometimes people think programs like this are nice to dos. It’s not just a nice to do.” Click here to watch Senator Blunt Rochester’s remarks . U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today participated in a hearing on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) fiscal year 2027 budget. Senator Blunt Rochester highlighted Delaware’s diverse wildlife, including the state’s robust population of horseshoe crabs and Red Knots, and the Delaware River Basin. She questioned FWS Director Brian Nesvik on the Trump administration’s cuts to critical wildlife conservation grants and the administration’s failure to distribute funding for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program. Senator Blunt Rochester’s full remarks and exchange can be found here . A key excerpt is included below: Senator Blunt Rochester: “I heard as I was coming into the hearing that you’ve had to make tough decisions and the current administration…in the proposed budget would eliminate funding for the state and tribal wildlife grants program, which helps states like mine, preserve and conserve…threatened and endangered species like the Red Knot. Mr. Director, it appears … that this popular program is being cut. Is that correct?” Director Nesvik: “Yes, Senator. That’s our proposal, that’s in the President’s current proposed budget.” Senator Blunt Rochester: “One of the questions I would have is how you would and could explain to states where there might be other places to get revenue to do this kind of critical conservation activity. I mean, I was thinking maybe you put this program in another pot somewhere, because it really is vital. Could you talk a little bit about what you would say to our state and local governments to be able to support such a program?” Director Nesvik: “I think this is a time when looking for places we may not have looked before, like additional states have the same issue as we do in the federal government, they have to look at how much money they take in and how much money they spend, and when that’s lopsided, they’ve got to make adjustments. And what I would tell states is, is that this is a time when there’s not going to be as much federal money, because our priority is to reduce government spending. You’re [going to] have to look to nongovernmental organizations, you’re [going to] have to look at your own priorities within your own budget, and, and I agree, these are these are hard decisions, but they have to be made.” Senator Blunt Rochester: “I think sometimes people think programs like this are nice to dos. It’s not just a nice to do, you know.”