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On Wednesday, July 24, 2013, the House Natural Resources Committee passed H.R. 638 – “ The National Wildlife Refuge Review Act of 2013” — which would remove the Department of the Interior’s authority to establish new national wildlife refuges, instead requiring an act of Congress. Representative John Fleming (R-LA), the bill’s sponsor, expressed concern regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s capacity to manage existing refuges. Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR), opposed the bill, arguing that Congress already has the power to reverse wildlife refuge designations. HR 638 IH 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 638 To amend the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to require that any new national wildlife refuge may not be established except as expressly authorized by statute. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 13, 2013 Mr. FLEMING (for himself, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, Mr. JONES, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. GOHMERT, Mr. MCCLINTOCK, Mr. POSEY, Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, Mr. AMODEI, Mrs. BLACKBURN, and Mr. SOUTHERLAND) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To amend the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to require that any new national wildlife refuge may not be established except as expressly authorized by statute. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `National Wildlife Refuge Review Act of 2013'. SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES. (a) In General- Section 4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: `(6) The Secretary may not establish any national wildlife refuge except as expressly authorized by a law enacted after January 3, 2013.'. ( Existing Refuges Not Affected- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to any national wildlife refuge established on or before January 3, 2013.