ALERT: Congressional Call In- Stop HR2811 Python Ban!



Please join the Reptile Nation in a Congressional Call In Opposing HR2811 aka The Python Ban November 2, 3 & 4. If you value your Boas & Pythons you will participate and encourage your entire sphere of influence to do the same. There is a Hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism & Homeland Security scheduled for November 5th. Please call in and OPPOSE HR2811.



As originally written HR2811 would add the entire genus python to the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. This would effectively end the Import, Export and Interstate Transport of any animals listed. In July USARK was successful in narrowing the scope of the bill by removing most pythons with an amendment offered by Congressman Tom Rooney. The amendment would limit the bill to the Burmese Python and the African Python. In addition committee staff agreed in principle to further amend the bill to allow the captive bred trade in these two snakes to continue. To date this promise has not been kept and the HR2811 has not been amended to allow for captive bred trade.



Meanwhile the USGS Risk Assessment of 9 Large Constricting Snakes has been released. The Humane Society of the United States is lobbying hard to have HR2811 amended to include the entire genus python, as well as the four species of anaconda, and Boa Constrictor referred to in the USGS report. Do not assume that HSUS will not be successful in getting HR2811 amended to reflect these changes. Only USARK and the Reptile Nation stand between HSUS and the destruction of our community.



Our science experts have done a cursory analysis of the USGS report and characterize it as “…loose with numerous mistakes and inaccuracies. It is an oversimplification of a very complicated topic.” The bottom line is it is not the solid piece of science HSUS wanted to use as a tool to break the back of our community. However that has not stopped them from mischaracterizing it as just that.



What can I do?



***November 2,3 & 4 Call In and Fax the Subcommittee and voice your opposition to HR2811. Be polite & professional!



Script:

My name is____. I oppose HR2811. It is overly simplistic and politically driven. It is poorly thought out and sacrifices good science for political expediency. The negative economic impact for my family and business would be significant. Please oppose HR2811. Thank you for your consideration.



Call List:

Sponsor:



Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Sponsor

Washington DC: phone 202-225-4506; fax 202-226-0777

Miami: phone 305-690-5905; fax 305-690-5951



Cosponsors:



Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-1313; fax 202-225-8398

Ft. Lauderdale: phone 954-733-2800



Congressman John Lewis (D-GA)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-3801; fax 202-225-0351

Atlanta: phone 404-659-0116



Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-3001; fax 202-225-5974

Boca Raton: phone 561-988-6302; fax 561-988-6423



Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (HI-2)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-4906; fax 202-225-4987

Honolulu: phone 808-541-1986



Congressman Tom Rooney (R-FL)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-5792; fax 202-225-3132

Punta Gorda: phone 941-575-9101; fax 941-575-9103



Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism & Homeland Security:



Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-8351; fax 202-225-8354

Richmond: phone 804-644-4845



Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-3072; fax 202-225-3336

San Jose: phone 408-271-8700



Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-3816; fax 202-225-3317

Houston: phone 713-691-4882



Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-2201; fax 202-225-7854

Los Angeles: phone 323-757-8900



Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-3265; fax 202-225-5663

Memphis: phone 901-544-4131



Congressman Pedro Pierluisi (D-PR)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-2615; fax 202-225-2154

San Juan: phone 787-723-6333



Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-5431; fax 202-225-9681

Roanoke: phone 540-857-2672



Congressman Dan Lungren (R-CA)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-5716; fax 202-226-1298

Gold River: phone 916-859-9906



Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-TX)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-3035; fax 202-226-1230

Tyler: phone 903-561-6349



Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-6565; fax 202-225-5547

Beaumont: phone 409-212-1997



Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-6365; fax 202-226-1170

Chesapeake: 757-382-0080; fax 757-382-0780



Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-5635

New York: phone 212-367-7350



Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-7931; fax 202-226-2052

Pembroke Pines: phone 954-437-3936; fax 954-437-4776



Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-6616

Brooklyn: phone 718-743-0441



Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL)

Washington DC: phone 202-225-4061; fax 202-225-5603

Chicago: phone 773-267-5926; fax 773-267-6583
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