Dear Mr. Goldbarg:
Thank you for writing to express your opposition to legislation that would place large constrictor snakes on the injurious species list. I appreciate your correspondence and welcome the opportunity to respond.
As you know, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced S.373 on February 3, 2009. S. 373 and its companion bill in the House of Representatives, H.R. 2811, would amend the Lacey Act (42 U.S.C. w 18) to include constrictor snakes, such as the Burmese Python, as injurious species. Under the Lacey Act, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to regulate the importation and transport of species determined to be injurious to the health and welfare of humans. Currently, S.373 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Although I do not serve on this Committee, I will keep your opposition to this bill, as well as maintaining a science-based review process, in mind should S.373 or any similar legislation be considered by the Senate.
Once again, thank you for writing. If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
