Committee backs memorial urging Congress to delist Mexican gray wolf; conservation groups object

The House Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Feb. 13 returned House Concurrent Memorial 2011 with a due-pass recommendation. Staff explained the memorial urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 4255 (referred to in committee as the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act of 2025), to delist the Mexican wolf and to defund the federal reintroduction program, transferring management to local authorities.

Sandy Barr of the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter opposed the memorial, telling members the Mexican gray wolf was nearly eliminated historically and that current in-the-wild numbers remain limited. "We still only have one population of Mexican wolves in the U.S., and it's approximately 286 in Arizona and New Mexico," Barr said, arguing that delisting and defunding would be premature and risk reversing recovery.

Some members spoke in favor of the memorial. Representative Martinez (speaker 3) said it was time to delist and expressed support; Representative Sandoval (speaker 14) said she respectfully disagreed and argued delisting decisions should be guided by comprehensive scientific review rather than legislative memorials. The committee recorded the memorial as having a due-pass recommendation by roll call.