RED ALERT: HR511 Stop Python and Boa BAN NOW!

RED ALERT: HR511 Stop Python BAN NOW!

HR 511, a bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the importation of various injurious species of constrictor snakes; Indian python, Python molurus, including the Burmese python, Python molurus bivittatus; reticulated python, Broghammerus reticulatus; Northern African python,Python sebae; Southern African python, Python natalensis; Boa constrictor; yellow anaconda, Eunectes notaeus; DeSchauensee’s anaconda, Eunectes deschauenseei; green anaconda, Eunectes murinus; and the Beni anaconda, Eunectes beniensis, in the US House of Representatives, was introduced January 26, 2011 by Congressman Tom Rooney (R-FL) .

Congressman Rooney has taken action to move HR 511! This bill seeks to add 9 constricting snakes to the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. HR 511 has been scheduled for a Markup Hearing before the US House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday February 28, 2012 at 10:00 AM EST.

http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/markups112.html

>>There is very little time to voice opposition to this bill that could devistate the Reptile Community. Please participate in the USARK Call In Campaign TODAY!<<

PHONE CAMPAIGN:

Talking Points:

• Will destroy thousands of jobs and small family businesses; $104 million annual economic impact.
• Criminalize the actions of over 1 million American Citizens; Lacey Act felons.
• Federal action to address a localized problem in South Florida is unnecessary; the State of Florida and US Fish & Wildlife have already taken draconian measures.
• Underlying science has been criticized by scientists from around the world.
• Creates a massive animal welfare problem, potentially displacing millions of animals.

Key Members of House Judiciary Committee:

Lamar Smith (R-TX)- 202-225-4236
Sensenbrenner (R-WI)- 202-225-5101
Coble (R-NC)- 202-225-3065
Issa (R-CA)- 202-225-3906
Gohmert (R-TX)- 202-225-3035
Chaffetz (R-UT)- 202-225-7751
Gowdy (R-SC)- 202-225-6030
Poe (R-TX)- 202-225-6565
Goodlatte (R-VA)- 202-225-5431

DO IT NOW!!!

Called each one this morning. At all times I was polite, made certain to mention the main points given above. (economic impact, lack of environmental OR public safety concern, fact that it makes innocent Americans into felons if they want to keep their pets, etc)

I start at the bottom of the lists, in case other people get interrupted and never make it to the last folks, this way we're assured all the list gets called.

Results....
Goodlatte- VA : Aide was dismissive, gave the "I'll pass on your concerns" comment.

Poe- R-TX : Listened attentively, gave the "I'll pass on your concerns"

Gowdy R-SC : Said they won't record my objections, because I'm "not in their district". I told them it was FEDERAL and they were on a FEDERAL committee that would affect everyone in the US, therefor they should be taking EVERYONE'S concerns.

Chaffetz - UT: Said they OPPOSE the bill, that UT has industry that would be impacted, that it's not a good bill, they will not be supporting it.(This is what the local office told me weeks ago when I talked to them then about it)

Gohmert - TX : Has terrible hold music while the aide looked for someone else to talk to me, that person was busy, he listened with some interest, but was less interested when he learned I was not in his district. "I will pass on your concerns" after I repeated my insistence that this is a FEDERAL impact, thus my voice counts.

Issa - CA :Automated system, left a message. *this was the ONLY office that a live person did not pick up*

Coble - NC : The aide sounded sick, took my info, sounded like he really wanted to be home on the couch, so was very dismissive.

Sensenbrenner - WI : The aide implied there WAS a problem "cropping up across the US" regarding the species in the bill. When asked for examples of any issues, he admitted he didn't know that much about any of it. I ran through the facts for him, and he waffled, saying "Well I don't know about any of that..." and I repeated, my facts were facts, not opinions... as far as lack of ANY environmental impact anywhere except south Florida(which has bans already), the lack of public safety concerns(brought up cats causing more deaths and more environmental impact as ferals) but the aide all but implied that he himself seemed to think the bill was good. I assume(ASSume, I know, but I got no clear answer yea or nay)that THIS Congressman is FOR the bill. We should definitely be calling him repeatedly from across the country.

L. Smith - TX : This aide transferred me TO the Judiciary committee offices? Who promptly told me I should be calling Congress offices, but they would make sure Smith got my concerns. I called the office again, told the aide that the Committee offices told me I should be calling the various Congress offices, and she agreed, then told me I should call them... after admitting that Smith is the HEAD of the Committee. *eyebrow quirk* I don't know if she was confused, didn't think the HEAD of the Committee should take comments, or doesn't want to hear opposition to the Bill. She gave no hints yea or nay, but I gave her my spiel over that I oppose it and why.

I did my best to sound like a concerned US citizen, over the economic impact, the lack of benefit, etc.. not like a frantic pet owner who has half read a Email chain letter. I made certain to repeat the job loss, the lack of benefit because that's the two things that a typical Congressman might be concerned with. They don't care if we can't own a certain species of big snake. They are concerned with $$ and numbers. So I emphasized that, with a touch of "Wouldn't it look terrible if a military member has to euthanize his pet of 20 years, just because a useless Bill was passed by YOUR Congressman..." hints to a few of the aides. I referred to the animals in the Bill as "species" or "pets" instead of "constrictor snakes" or "giant maneating pythons" or anything that could evoke a "ewww snake!" response.

Hopefully there's a LOT more calls going in. The Bill is due for a hearing TOMORROW.

I called them all, and as stated above not much ground was made. The people who answered seemed like they didn't want to talk about snakes. Maybe that means they are getting lots of calls... We can only hope this helps.

I will be calling within the next hour. I just wanted to comment on this thread to bump it to the top! This is important!

I shared all of this information on Facebook as soon as I learned about it this morning, and I just got done calling all of the representatives on this list, as well as some of my own state representatives. They were all friendly and polite but not really interested in talking about the issues. Several of them took down my contact information, and all of them said they would pass my opposition to the HR511 to their congress person. Let's all try to do this and hope that it helps! Please SHARE this information as well, to help increase awareness.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

Called each one this morning. At all times I was polite, made certain to mention the main points given above. (economic impact, lack of environmental OR public safety concern, fact that it makes innocent Americans into felons if they want to keep their pets, etc)

I start at the bottom of the lists, in case other people get interrupted and never make it to the last folks, this way we're assured all the list gets called.

Results....
Goodlatte- VA : Aide was dismissive, gave the "I'll pass on your concerns" comment.

Poe- R-TX : Listened attentively, gave the "I'll pass on your concerns"

Gowdy R-SC : Said they won't record my objections, because I'm "not in their district". I told them it was FEDERAL and they were on a FEDERAL committee that would affect everyone in the US, therefor they should be taking EVERYONE'S concerns.

Chaffetz - UT: Said they OPPOSE the bill, that UT has industry that would be impacted, that it's not a good bill, they will not be supporting it.(This is what the local office told me weeks ago when I talked to them then about it)

Gohmert - TX : Has terrible hold music while the aide looked for someone else to talk to me, that person was busy, he listened with some interest, but was less interested when he learned I was not in his district. "I will pass on your concerns" after I repeated my insistence that this is a FEDERAL impact, thus my voice counts.

Issa - CA :Automated system, left a message. *this was the ONLY office that a live person did not pick up*

Coble - NC : The aide sounded sick, took my info, sounded like he really wanted to be home on the couch, so was very dismissive.

Sensenbrenner - WI : The aide implied there WAS a problem "cropping up across the US" regarding the species in the bill. When asked for examples of any issues, he admitted he didn't know that much about any of it. I ran through the facts for him, and he waffled, saying "Well I don't know about any of that..." and I repeated, my facts were facts, not opinions... as far as lack of ANY environmental impact anywhere except south Florida(which has bans already), the lack of public safety concerns(brought up cats causing more deaths and more environmental impact as ferals) but the aide all but implied that he himself seemed to think the bill was good. I assume(ASSume, I know, but I got no clear answer yea or nay)that THIS Congressman is FOR the bill. We should definitely be calling him repeatedly from across the country.

L. Smith - TX : This aide transferred me TO the Judiciary committee offices? Who promptly told me I should be calling Congress offices, but they would make sure Smith got my concerns. I called the office again, told the aide that the Committee offices told me I should be calling the various Congress offices, and she agreed, then told me I should call them... after admitting that Smith is the HEAD of the Committee. *eyebrow quirk* I don't know if she was confused, didn't think the HEAD of the Committee should take comments, or doesn't want to hear opposition to the Bill. She gave no hints yea or nay, but I gave her my spiel over that I oppose it and why.

I did my best to sound like a concerned US citizen, over the economic impact, the lack of benefit, etc.. not like a frantic pet owner who has half read a Email chain letter. I made certain to repeat the job loss, the lack of benefit because that's the two things that a typical Congressman might be concerned with. They don't care if we can't own a certain species of big snake. They are concerned with $$ and numbers. So I emphasized that, with a touch of "Wouldn't it look terrible if a military member has to euthanize his pet of 20 years, just because a useless Bill was passed by YOUR Congressman..." hints to a few of the aides. I referred to the animals in the Bill as "species" or "pets" instead of "constrictor snakes" or "giant maneating pythons" or anything that could evoke a "ewww snake!" response.

Hopefully there's a LOT more calls going in. The Bill is due for a hearing TOMORROW.

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Notice that the ones that seemed to be most in favor of the ban from your observations are from states that have been trying to ban them on a state-level? SC, VA, WI.

Given that this bill overlaps with some of the species that were already put on LACEY last month, I think this is an attempt to cover Pres Obama's butt for having made his LACEY additions as an executive decision instead of a legislative one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sgath92

Notice that the ones that seemed to be most in favor of the ban from your observations are from states that have been trying to ban them on a state-level? SC, VA, WI.

Given that this bill overlaps with some of the species that were already put on LACEY last month, I think this is an attempt to cover Pres Obama's butt for having made his LACEY additions as an executive decision instead of a legislative one.

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I found the repeat species very odd as well. If it is a butt covering maneuver then it's even more likely to pass, imho.

I posted on Craigslist, Facebook, and myspace. I am also emailing it out to a lot of people that will take a stand that don't even like snakes

I don't really have a phone at the moment I can call in. but I have a bunch of other people that I can do it for me... this just erks the crap out of me... and they they don't even want to listen!!! I might be a Christian but our government is f'd up what ever happened to the bill of rights?

I can't really do anything since I am at work, the best I can do is try and share this on my facebook .... :(

Folks - make these calls TODAY!!!!!!

Tomorrow will be too late. We need to make a respectful and LOUD noise!

Could we show up somewhere tomorrow? Make our presence really obvious.

Just finished all the calls.

Smith: Aide transferred me to a comment line for the Judiciary Committee, stating this would be the appropriate place to leave a comment on the bill, rather than for Smith himself.

Chaffetz: Is AGAINST the bill.

Everyone else was polite, interested, and took my information. We are having an impact, folks.

Gowdy needs more information. When I stated that studies had been done that contradicted the Constrictor Report, the aide wanted information on those studies. I did not have that available, but mentioned that there had been a study done in which the animals were kept in an outdoor pen over winter in SC, and died.

If anyone has direct references and information for those studies, please call Gowdy and give them the information--if you get an Aide who's not interested...try again, because someone there IS.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by babyknees

Could we show up somewhere tomorrow? Make our presence really obvious.

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I am trying to do something local for today...

study on the python surviving in South Carolina

feds to ban trade on burms on pet product news

I couldn't find anything on the other snakes that are in this list. but this might be a good start to go somewhere.

Hoping everyone made their calls today! This would really suck to go through!

Anyone who is thinking "OMG I didn't call!! I wish I could!"... go ahead and call and leave a message. The office MAY check messages before the meeting tomorrow, so it can't hurt!

wow, one dasy notice- and i just find out at 840 at night- ill try and leave messages, but wow- what a noitice they gave.

well- i need access codes for them? I have no clue where to get them and can't make th e phone calls??

So...When should we know the ruling on this issue? I think I read that they are meeting on this at 10:00 AM? This totally stinks. My wife and I lived in OH for 5 years and recently moved back to PA...I couldn't imagine if this bill was in place then. To not legally be allowed to take our pets with us would make me sick! Or even worse...What if it does pass and we decide we want to move back to OH someday? We have to forfeit our pets to legally do so? What a disgrace to the American dream. :colbert:

The bill was discharged by the committe and is now on the House floor. As I type this they are debating the future of our industry, and it doesn't look good. CALL THEM NOW. If these snakes go there will be a fundamental blow to our hobby and everything else will have its days numbered. Look at the uptick of action on the state and local level after the action inJanuary. If the word is given that bad science and prejudice are legitimate reasons to ban things there will be no stopping them. No time for emails- Call every Representative you can find a number for. Our only hope is to look like a big enough voter base that they are scared for their jobs. Maybe we can stall it and vote them out of office when its all over. D-day is here and we are running out of time.......

Pulled these off of a pro HR 511 website (gag), asking for supporters to call in and say so. I'm guessing too late to do anything, and honestly not sure if these are correct #s, but at work and don't have time to find out considering the circumstances -

Sandy Adams, R-Fla., 24th District (202) 225-2706
Mark Amodei, R-Nev., 2nd District (202) 225-6155
Howard Berman, D-Calif., 28th District (202) 225-4695
Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, 1st District (202) 225-2216
Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, 3rd District (202) 225-7751
Judy Chu, D-Calif., 32nd District (202) 225-5464
Howard Coble, R-N.C., 6th District (202) 225-3065
Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., 9th District (202) 225-3265
John Conyers Jr. (Ranking Member), D-Mich., 14th District (202) 225-5126
Ted Deutch, D-Fla., 19th District (202) 225-3001
J. Randy Forbes, R-Va., 4th District (202) 225-6365
Trent Franks, R-Ariz., 2nd District (202) 225-4576
Elton Gallegly, R-Calif., 24th District (202) 225-5811
Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, 1st District (202) 225-3035
Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., 6th District (202) 225-5431
Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., 4th District (202) 225-6030
Tim Griffin, R-Ark., 2nd District (202) 225-2506
Darrell Issa, R-Calif., 49th District (202) 225-3906
Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, 18th District (202) 225-3816
Hank Johnson, D-Ga., 4th District (202) 225-1605
Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, 4th District (202) 225-2676
Steve King, R-Iowa, 5th District (202) 225-4426
Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., 16th District (202) 225-3072
Dan Lungren, R-Calif., 3rd District (202) 225-5716
Tom Marino, R-Pa., 10th District (202) 225-3731
Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., 8th District (202) 225-5635
Mike Pence, R-Ind., 6th District (202) 225-3021
Pedro Pierluisi, D-Puerto Rico (202) 225-2615
Ted Poe, R-Texas, 2nd District (202) 225-6565
Jared Polis, D-Colo., 2nd District (202) 225-2161
Ben Quayle, R-Ariz., 3rd District (202) 225-3361
Mike Quigley, D-Ill., 5th District (202) 225-4061
Dennis Ross, R-Fla., 12th District (202) 225-1252
Linda Sánchez, D-Calif., 39th District (202) 225-6676
Bobby Scott, D-Va., 3rd District (202) 225-8351
Jim Sensenbrenner Jr., R-Wis., 5th District (202) 225-5101
Lamar Smith (Chairman), R-Texas, 21st District (202) 225-4236
Maxine Waters, D-Calif., 35th District (202) 225-2201
Mel Watt, D-N.C., 12th District (202) 225-1510

So is there anything new on this one? i can't seem to find any updates.

:( :( :(http://floridaindependent.com/71251/...tic-snake-bill

Don't they realize they are taking tax paying jobs from a lot of peoplei am declaring anarchy and highly protesting. As if this country wasn't in enough debts. Don't wait til snake awareness day get out there asap

There's still a vote. CALL your representatives. I hope USARK is going to do another letter writing campaign on this.

I know there is enough people in our community to fight this and win. 100,000 people against what maybe 50 people

HSUS, PETA, FWS. I never thought acronyms could give me the chills. All of the propaganda put out by HSUS is bull. Between them and PETA, there are some many animals needlessly euthanized every year. To speak against the cruelty and mis-treatment of animals, while simultaneously killing thousands that are perfectly healthy is to condemn yourselves to an eternity in a special circle of hell. Here's a question PETA and HSUS. How do you sleep at night with your linens made of blood money? I know I sleep well, knowing that every one of my animals will die with me of old age, because I'm saving them from you. I would like to commend each and every responsible animal owner in this country for being a savior from the powers that be.

I also don't like the fact that pretty much everybody I speak with has no idea any of this is happening. They're using scare tactics sure. But, more so, they are banking on the lack of awareness. I garauntee if every snake owner knew about this, it would be a totally different story.

THIS JUST IN, IGUANAS HAVE NOW STARTED TAKING OVER THE ENTIRE COUNTRY!!! OH DEAR!!!! IF ONLY WE HAD DONE A FALSE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT, WE MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PREVENT THIS!!!! PPPPOOOOOORRRRRR QQQQQUUUUUUEEEEE!!!!????

YAY CAPITALIST PIGS! Thanks for trying to break our entrepreneurial spirit, the same thing this country was founded on.

(I apologize for the rant. I re-discovered Limp Bizkit today:oops:)

This was on USARK facebook

After an outpouring of opposition calls to Congressional Members by the Reptile Nation, and a bevy of amendment proposals, HR511 was unanimously reported out of the US House Judiciary Committee today. It is not completely clear what the next step for HR 511 will be, but the bill has passed out of the Judiciary Committee today. US House Natural Resources Committee Staff has filed a memo to have the bill properly heard with expert testimony given before the House Natural Resources Committee. Whatever happens HR 511 still has a long way to go before becoming law. This is a set back, but we have overcome setbacks like this before. Check out Herp Nation News tomorrow for a more detailed report and analysis from USARK CEO Andrew Wyatt. Stay Tuned!

Also this vid was in my email

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nb22...&feature=email

:sweeet: :gj: Dodged another bullet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KingObeat

:sweeet: :gj: Dodged another bullet.

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Ill be happy when we disarm the bad guy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jball1125

Ill be happy when we disarm the bad guy.

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I just made this video and uploaded it to youtube its a slide show but I wanted to share it with ya'll and maybe ya'll can share it and pass it on...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQGNY8wIZpQ&feature=youtu.be

My boyfriend and I both wrote letters to our congressman a few days ago. I am going to call a few friends and ask them to do the same. It would be a serious shame if this bill passed.

Andrew Wyatt gave an interview to update on HR511 after it was passed out of the House Judiciary Committee. What does it mean? What comes next? Good listen.

TheReptileReport- USARK interview update on HR511

I'm a little confused. Does this mean we can still take burmese pythons across state lines, or were the other species just not added to the list?