I appreciate the witnesses joining us here today to explore the issue of USFWS administration of the Federal Aid Program. The program has been a great success; however, revelations of the Agency's use of administrative funds has cast a shadow on the program.
We need to ensure that the faith placed in this program is restored. The intent of this hearing is to find out what must be done to restore this trust and ensure responsibility and accountability within the program.
It is rare to find citizens advocating a tax, but hunters, shooting enthusiasts, fishermen, and boaters have all stepped up-to-the plate to fund a program that helps wildlife, and sport fish, and all Americans. It is important that the people that pay into this program have the assurance that their money is going towards the programs that they were intended for state wildlife and sport fish restoration programs.
I would be remiss if I did not note all the hard work that Representative Don Young (R-Alaska), Chairman of the House Resources Committee, has invested in this issue. It was Chairman Young that initiated the investigations into the problems with the program and brought public attention to the USFWS's administration of the program. Additionally, Chairman Young was the first to introduce legislation to help rebuild the trust in the program by reforming the administration of these funds and the Division of Federal Aid.
The House Resources Committee and General Accounting Office investigation into the USFWS's Federal Aid program have raised serious questions about the management and administration of the program. I anticipate the General Accounting Office will outline the findings of their investigation in their testimony.
I look forward to hearing the testimony of the GAO and USFWS, and testimony from those that have willingly contributed so much to the program, and those that benefit from the program. These testimonies and discussions will be helpful in discovering the problems and strengths of the program and most importantly, what is necessary to fix the problem.
The problems uncovered by the House investigation and the General Accounting Office clearly indicate that fixes are necessary. A 423 to 2 vote in the House shows this is not a partisan reform. It is obvious that legislation is necessary to restore faith in the system. This is about good government. And, although this is a hearing on administration of the federal aid program, I have no doubt there will be discussions and critiques of the bills that have been introduced to address the problems with the administration of these funds. I look forward to this discussion.
Before we start, I would also like to thank the many people who have submitted written testimony for the record. The public uses and benefits from the Federal Aid Program projects and programs are vital to ensuring support for the program. Hunting, fishing, dog field-trials, and hunter education and improvement programs, are all important and appropriate activities under the Federal Aid Program and I appreciate hearing from the advocates of each of these uses.
I look forward to a constructive hearing, one that will explore how we can best ensure that trust and accountability are restored to the Federal Aid in Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs. I welcome our witnesses here today and will be calling you to the table after other members have an opportunity to share some comments.
Without objection, those who cannot join us will be permitted the opportunity to provide written testimony for the record.