Costa Remarks on Wildlife Conservation Legislation in Subcommittee Hearing

WASHINGTON - Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16) promoted his bipartisan bill,H.R. 6023- Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Actin a House Committee on Natural Resources Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee hearing. This legislation would require the United States Postal Service (USPS) to sell approximately 45 million Saving Vanishing Species Stamps left in stock to promote wildlife conservation. Sales of the Save Vanishing Species Stamp – also known as the Tiger Stamp – raise additional funds for the protection of iconic species, including tigers, elephants, rhinos, marine turtles, and great apes, at no additional cost to taxpayers.

"It's inexpensive and it's a voluntary way to raise funds and awareness about conservation and international species,"Rep. Costa said in the hearing."The initial funding raised by stamp sales has contributed to over 100 conservation projects in 35 countries."

Rep. Costa introduced the bill with Rep. John Katko (NY-24) in late Nov. 2021. Next, the bill will be considered in a committee markup before moving on to the House floor for a vote.

The Vanishing Species Semi Postal Stamp is sold by the USPS at a slightly higher cost than a first-class stamp. The additional proceeds supplement the Multinational Species Conservation Funds, which support conservation efforts that save vulnerable species worldwide. Almost 51 million stamps have been sold since the stamp was first issued in 2011, raising nearly $6 million for conservation at no direct cost to U.S. taxpayers.

Rep. Costa's full remarks in the hearing can be viewed below.