U.S. Senate may approve bill that allows sea lion killing

8-3-2018

VANCOUVER, Wash. — A bill that allows killing more sea lions who eat endangered salmon has cleared a key committee in the U.S. Senate.

The measure allows the federal government to issue permits to Washington, Idaho, Oregon and several Pacific Northwest tribes to kill up to 100 sea lions a year.

It was introduced by Washington’s Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R) and co-sponsored by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R) of Washington.

Supporters say the bill is needed to protect declining salmon runs, but critics say it won’t solve the problem.

The bill now awaits a vote by the full Senate.