Why It Matters

The House passed the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act of 2025, designated H.R. 4219, on Sept. 14, advancing legislation that would provide statutory authority for an existing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service program to combat invasive species on and around national wildlife refuges.

The measure would provide statutory authority for the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team program. The program deploys teams to address invasive species and coordinates with federal, state, tribal and local governments and other public and private entities on invasive-species management in and around the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The bill would also require the Fish and Wildlife Service to report to Congress two and five years after enactment on each strike team's work and the program's progress in preventing, detecting, controlling or eradicating priority invasive species.

The Big Picture

Rep. Ed Case (D-HI) introduced H.R. 4219 on June 27, 2025, with Del. James Moylan (R-GU) as an original cosponsor. The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a legislative hearing on the measure on April 16, and the full Natural Resources Committee favorably reported the legislation on July 22.

The House considered the measure under suspension of the rules, a procedure requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. The motion to suspend the rules and pass the measure, as amended, was approved by a 371-33 vote, with 28 members not voting.

Partisan Perspectives

The measure received support from members of both parties. Democrats cast 205 yea votes and no nay votes, while Republicans cast 165 yea votes and 33 nay votes. Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA) also voted yea.

The available official records do not establish a formal Trump administration position on H.R. 4219.

Political Stakes

The legislation would codify an existing Fish and Wildlife Service program rather than establish an entirely new invasive-species initiative. The Natural Resources Committee described the program as addressing invasive species on and adjacent to the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The bill would also establish congressional reporting requirements. The Fish and Wildlife Service would have to report on the work of each strike team and progress toward preventing, detecting, controlling or eradicating priority invasive species.

The 371-33 vote demonstrated support from members of both parties, although 33 Republicans opposed the legislation.

The Bottom Line

H.R. 4219 would give statutory authority to the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team program and formalize reporting requirements for its work combating invasive species.

The House passage advances legislation intended to maintain coordinated invasive-species management across the National Wildlife Refuge System and surrounding areas while giving Congress additional information about the program's progress.

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