U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Working to Combat the Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin helped introduce legislation to fight the spread of the disease that is threatening Wisconsin’s proud hunting tradition.

The Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act, led by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), will provide immediate resources to wildlife management agencies to respond to outbreaks of the disease. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in wildlife has been detected in 24 states across the country, including in 56 counties throughout Wisconsin.

“In Wisconsin, we have a proud, longstanding tradition of hunting and enjoying the great outdoors. But season after season, our sportsmen and women continue to deal with the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease in new areas,” said Senator Baldwin. “It’s clear we need to invest more federal resources to help our state fight the spread of this deadly wildlife disease that threatens human health, Wisconsin's hunting traditions and our deer herds. I’m proud to join Senator Tester and take action to help our state and tribal partners take on this disease.”

“The spread of Chronic Wasting Disease puts our outdoor economy and Montana way of life at risk,” said Senator Tester. “This bill will give state and tribal agencies access to the resources they need to combat this disease before it permanently diminishes our big-game herds and limits our ability to hunt.”

The legislation will authorize $35 million in federal funding to help state and tribal wildlife management agencies stop the spread of CWD by allowing states and tribes to develop and implement management plans, and establish rapid response strategies for newly infected areas. The bill also authorizes $25 million to create new research grants to better understand the disease.

Senator Baldwin also recently helped introduce bipartisan legislation to help develop better strategies to contain CWD outbreaks and keep wildlife healthy.