H.R.556 — Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act

House Roll Call

H.R.556

Roll 93 • Congress 119, Session 2 • Mar 18, 2026 5:21 PM • Result: Passed

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BillH.R.556 — Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act
Vote questionOn Passage
Vote typeRecorded Vote
ResultPassed
TotalsYea 215 / Nay 202 / Present 0 / Not Voting 15
PartyYeaNayPresentNot Voting
R208109
D720106
I0000

Research Brief

On Passage

Bill Analysis

HR 556 – Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act (119th Congress)

HR 556 restricts the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) from banning or restricting the use of traditional lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle on most federal public lands and waters, except under narrow conditions.

Core prohibition:

  • The four agencies may not prohibit or restrict lead ammunition or tackle for hunting or fishing on lands or waters they administer unless:
    • The restriction is consistent with state law and regulations; and
    • It is supported by “site-specific” scientific evidence showing a need for the restriction at that particular location.
  • The bill effectively blocks broad, nationwide, or systemwide administrative bans on lead-based gear for hunting and angling on federal lands.

Scope and exceptions:

  • Applies to hunting and recreational fishing activities on federal lands and waters managed by FWS, NPS, BLM, and USFS.
  • Does not override state authority: states may still regulate or ban lead ammunition or tackle within their borders, including on federal lands, and federal agencies may align with those state rules.
  • Allows localized federal restrictions where robust, location-specific science demonstrates harm (e.g., to particular wildlife populations or habitats).

Agencies and programs affected:

  • Constrains regulatory and land-management discretion of:
    • FWS (including National Wildlife Refuges),
    • NPS (national parks, seashores, etc.),
    • BLM (multiple-use public lands),
    • USFS (national forests and grasslands).
  • Affects how these agencies implement wildlife conservation, visitor-use, and toxic-substance mitigation policies related to hunting and fishing.

Beneficiaries and regulated parties:

  • Benefits hunters, anglers, and related industries (ammunition and tackle manufacturers, outfitters) by preserving access to lead-based products where states allow them.
  • Regulates federal land-management agencies by limiting their authority to impose lead restrictions absent state alignment and site-specific science.

Funding and timelines:

  • The bill primarily sets policy constraints; it does not create new programs or major funding streams.
  • Provisions would take effect upon enactment and apply prospectively to agency rulemaking and management decisions.

View bill source • Clerk record • API record

Yea (215)

K
Ken Calvert

CA • R • Aye

S
Scott Franklin

FL • R • Aye

J
John Mannion

NY • D • Aye

L
Lisa McClain

MI • R • Aye

J
John Rutherford

FL • R • Aye

D
David Schweikert

AZ • R • Aye

P
Pete Sessions

TX • R • Aye

Nay (202)

J
Jason Crow

CO • D • No

L
Lloyd Doggett

TX • D • No

J
John Garamendi

CA • D • No

L
Lucy McBath

GA • D • No

C
Christian Menefee

TX • D • No

R
Rashida Tlaib

MI • D • No

N
Nydia Velázquez

NY • D • No

D
Debbie Wasserman Schultz

FL • D • No

Not Voting (15)

E
Eric Swalwell

CA • D • Not Voting