A bill that would reinstate a regulation banning certain pesticides from wildlife refuges was approved by the House Committee on Natural Resources on Nov. 20.

The Protect Our Refuges Act of 2019 (H.R. 2854), sponsored by Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez (D-N.Y.), would reinstate a 2014 ban on the use of neonicotinoid insecticides in national wildlife refuges.

The bill passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 17-13. It now moves to the House floor for consideration.

A companion bill in the Senate, S. 1856, has been authored by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.)

“It is our duty, as a committee, to preserve and protect biodiversity, not the bank accounts of chemical manufacturers,” said Velazquez. “Yet for too long we have allowed these toxic chemicals to infect our soil, our waterways, and our communities. I’m proud the committee has taken decisive action to conserve and recover our national wildlife refuges.”

Read full, original article: House Panel Advances Bill to Curb Pesticides on Wildlife Refuges