WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 556 · 119th Congress

Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act

Passed HousePublic Lands and Natural Resources
IntroducedJan 16, 2025
Passed HouseMar 18, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Mar 19, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. The House passed it 215–202. It would change 0 sections of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 556 doesn't change any existing section of law. It would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Mar 19, 2026).

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Protecting access for hunters and anglers on federal land and water
What the words would change: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025

    This bill bars the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Forest Service from prohibiting or regulating the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal land or water. The bill makes exceptions for specified existing regulations and where the FWS, the BLM, or the Forest Service determines that a decline in wildlife population at the specific unit of federal land or water is primarily caused by the use of lead in ammunition or tackle, based on the field data from such unit, and the state approves the regulations.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jan 16, 2025).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

    Sourced
    1. Mar 19, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.Senate
    2. Mar 18, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
    3. Mar 18, 2026On passage Passed by recorded vote: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 93). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2576) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
    4. Mar 18, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 93). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2576) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
    5. Mar 18, 2026On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 206 - 209 (Roll no. 92). Roll call recordHouse floor actions
    6. Mar 18, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2581-2582)House floor actions
    7. Mar 18, 2026POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 556, the Chair put the question on the motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Dingell demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
    8. Mar 18, 2026The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.House floor actions
    9. Mar 18, 2026Mrs. Dingell moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H2580)House floor actions
    10. Mar 18, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
    11. Mar 18, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 556.House floor actions
    12. Mar 18, 2026Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.House floor actions
    13. Mar 18, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1115. (consideration: CR H2576-2580)House floor actions
    14. Mar 16, 2026Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1115 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.House floor actions
    15. Nov 25, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 335.House floor actions
    16. Nov 25, 2025Committee on Agriculture discharged.House floor actions
    17. Nov 25, 2025Committee on Agriculture discharged.Library of Congress
    18. Nov 25, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-385, Part I.House floor actions
    19. Nov 25, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-385, Part I.Library of Congress
    20. Jul 15, 2025Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 17.House committee actions
    21. Jul 15, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
    22. Feb 20, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.House committee actions
    23. Jan 16, 2025Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture.House floor actions
    24. Jan 16, 2025Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture.House floor actions
    25. Jan 16, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
    26. Jan 16, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show key steps only

    Recorded votes

    Sourced
    1. Mar 18, 2026 · HousePassed 215–202
      On Passage · needed a majority
      R 208 yes, 1 noD 7 yes, 201 noEach member · Record
    1 other recorded vote (procedure and amendments)
    1. Mar 18, 2026 · HouseFailed 206–209
      On Motion to Recommit · needed a majority
      R 0 yes, 209 noD 206 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

    Cosponsors

    • Brian Babin R-TX-36
    • Troy Balderson R-OH-12
    • Aaron Bean R-FL-4
    • Jack Bergman R-MI-1
    • Andy Biggs R-AZ-5
    • Sheri Biggs R-SC-3
    • Lauren Boebert R-CO-4
    • Mike Bost R-IL-12
    • Ken Calvert R-CA-41
    • Earl L. "Buddy" Carter R-GA-1
    • John R. Carter R-TX-31
    • Ben Cline R-VA-6
    Show 71 more cosponsors
    • Jeff Crank R-CO-5
    • Dan Crenshaw R-TX-2
    • Monica De La Cruz R-TX-15
    • Scott DesJarlais R-TN-4
    • Byron Donalds R-FL-19
    • Troy Downing R-MT-2
    • Chuck Edwards R-NC-11
    • Ron Estes R-KS-4
    • Gabe Evans R-CO-8
    • Pat Fallon R-TX-4
    • Brad Finstad R-MN-1
    • Michelle Fischbach R-MN-7
    • Scott Fitzgerald R-WI-5
    • Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann R-TN-3
    • Russell Fry R-SC-7
    • Russ Fulcher R-ID-1
    • Paul A. Gosar R-AZ-9
    • Glenn Grothman R-WI-6
    • Michael Guest R-MS-3
    • Harriet M. Hageman R-WY-At Large
    • Abraham J. Hamadeh R-AZ-8
    • Pat Harrigan R-NC-10
    • Mark Harris R-NC-8
    • Ashley Hinson R-IA-2
    • Richard Hudson R-NC-9
    • Jeff Hurd R-CO-3
    • Ronny Jackson R-TX-13
    • Dusty Johnson R-SD-At Large
    • Jennifer A. Kiggans R-VA-2
    • David Kustoff R-TN-8
    • Nicholas A. Langworthy R-NY-23
    • Robert E. Latta R-OH-5
    • Julia Letlow R-LA-5
    • Tracey Mann R-KS-1
    • Tom McClintock R-CA-5
    • Addison P. McDowell R-NC-6
    • John J. McGuire III R-VA-5
    • Mark B. Messmer R-IN-8
    • Max L. Miller R-OH-7
    • Mariannette Miller-Meeks R-IA-1
    • John R. Moolenaar R-MI-2
    • Barry Moore R-AL-1
    • Tim Moore R-NC-14
    • Gregory F. Murphy R-NC-3
    • Troy E. Nehls R-TX-22
    • Dan Newhouse R-WA-4
    • Ralph Norman R-SC-5
    • Burgess Owens R-UT-4
    • August Pfluger R-TX-11
    • Mike Rogers R-AL-3
    • Chip Roy R-TX-21
    • Michael A. Rulli R-OH-6
    • John H. Rutherford R-FL-5
    • Austin Scott R-GA-8
    • Keith Self R-TX-3
    • Pete Sessions R-TX-17
    • Pete Stauber R-MN-8
    • Elise M. Stefanik R-NY-21
    • W. Gregory Steube R-FL-17
    • Claudia Tenney R-NY-24
    • Glenn Thompson R-PA-15
    • Thomas P. Tiffany R-WI-7
    • Beth Van Duyne R-TX-24
    • Ann Wagner R-MO-2
    • Tim Walberg R-MI-5
    • Randy K. Weber, Sr. R-TX-14
    • Daniel Webster R-FL-11
    • Tony Wied R-WI-8
    • Roger Williams R-TX-25
    • Steve Womack R-AR-3
    • Ryan K. Zinke R-MT-1