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Utah Senate urges Congress to delist wolves, sparking floor debate over language
Summary
The Utah Senate passed a concurrent resolution urging Congress to delist wolves from the Endangered Species Act, 25–1, after floor debate over language describing opponents as "extremists." Supporters cited threats to rural economy and livestock; some senators said the resolution's tone should be softened.
The Utah State Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 15 urging Congress to delist wolves from the Endangered Species Act, after an extended floor debate over the resolution's language and the state’s role in wildlife management.
Sponsor Senator Christensen framed the resolution as a response to economic and public-safety concerns, saying, "The population of wolves in North America exceeds 60,000 wolves" and arguing federal management has left states unable to control populations that, he said, harm agriculture and game herds. He added that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service "has proposed to spend $25,000,000 to monitor and watch the wolf population grow." The sponsor asked the chamber to send a strong message to Congress that states should have authority to manage wolves.
The resolution's supporters emphasized impacts to rural economies and private property rights. Senator Dayton said the issue "is not about wolves as much as it is about what it is doing to agriculture, to our hunting culture, but most importantly to our private property rights," and urged the body to coordinate with congressional efforts.
Several senators raised concerns about the resolution's tone. Senator Davis said, "I do have some real concerns when we take and refer to people who disagree with our point of view as extremists," and asked to remove inflammatory wording. Senator Romero said "words matter" and announced he would vote no because he found some language unnecessary. The Senate ultimately voted to suspend the rules to consider final passage and approved SCR 15 on the floor. The clerk recorded the final tally as 25 yeas, 1 nay and 3 absent.
The resolution as passed urges congressional action to exempt wolves from the Endangered Species Act so states may manage populations locally. The resolution does not itself change state or federal law; it is a statement to Congress and, per the sponsor's motion, was forwarded for further action and communication to federal legislators.
The Senate moved on to other calendar business after the vote and recessed until the afternoon session.
