Does anyone know which representative sponsored HR669? I see lists of comittee members, but nothing about the person who sponsored HR669 and what was the motivation?
Many times a bill gets put up because of something that happens in a representatives district. Like with the chimp attack in Connecticut, I could understand if a rep. from CT sponsored a bill like this, or if a burmese python attack a kid in Florida, like that. Did a child get hurt in some conress person's district by an exotic animal or reptile? Has some senator made this his or her personal issue or crusade or something? You may be able to contact the person or family that was the motivation behind the bill & explain to them about the many people that love their exotic animals and rely on fish, snakes, geckos, etc as their means of employment and they feed their families from the sale of snakes & reptiles. If explained in the correct way, you might be able to get this person to change their mind. Maybe even get them to call the representative that sponsored HR669 and explain they have had a change of heart after hearing all the facts. Get them to run ads against HR669, explaining why it is such a bad bill.
Has a plan for the Senate been drawn up yet? It is alot easier to kill a bill ot tie it up in the Senate than it is in the house. You only need a handful of senators to threaten filibuster, and you can get a bill shelved or killed off very easily. I would think we would want to get out in front of this with the senate as soon as possible.
Has anyone found out when the sponsor's of the bill are up for re-election? What are these politicians weak spots & who are their enemy's, because these people should be our friends and any issues that will cause damage or concern to the politicians that are behind this bill should be the leverage that is used to make them afraid of passing anti-repitile/exotics laws. The ONLY thing these politicians care about in the end is getting re-elected. If they feel that passing anti-exotic laws will threaten their seat or cause them to lose an election, they will dump HR669 and any bill like it in a New York minute.
It is not over if this thing passes by some chance tomorrow. Many bad bills pass the house, as it is much easier for the majority to pass something through this branch. The senate is the place where legislation gets held up to the light and reason & thought prevail. The founding fathers set it up this way for a reason.
Just a thought or two.
