WASHINGTON, D.C. — The expected passage of bipartisan legislation to stop the spread of chronic wasting disease is good news for deer, moose, and elk populations across the nation. The Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act invests in research to detect and manage the fatal disease and will fund state and Tribal agencies’ efforts to stop its spread. The bill was included in the end-of-year omnibus spending bill that Congress is expected to pass later this week.

“For far too long, Chronic Wasting Disease has ravaged deer, elk, and moose populations across the country and harmed ecosystems, sportsmen and women, and local communities that depend upon healthy wildlife populations and the outdoor economy,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “We applaud Senators Martin Heinrich and John Hoeven and Representatives Ron Kind and Glenn Thompson for working tirelessly on this broadly supported bipartisan legislation that will ensure that state and Tribal wildlife managers can take effective action against the disease based on the best available science."

“Chronic wasting disease is the greatest threat to white-tailed deer in Tennessee and across the nation.  It’s why so many sportsmen and women have been advocating for greater investment into research and management solutions,” said Mike Butler, CEO of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation. "This bill provides critical funding for research that will help inform how we manage this devastating disease. A disease that has become a serious threat." 

The National Wildlife Federation and its affiliates have worked for many years to secure passage of this legislation. The Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act invests $70 million annually for research and management of the disease. To learn more about CWD and potential solutions, listen to The Chronic Wasting Disease Chronicles, a podcast series produced by NWF Outdoors.