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H.R.619 / 105th Congress

Bear Protection Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 5, 1997

Bear Protection Act - Prohibits any person from: (1) importing bear viscera into, or exporting it from, the United States; or (2) selling bear viscera, bartering, offering it for sale or barter, purchasing, or possessing it with intent to sell or barter, transporting, acquiring, or receiving it in interstate or foreign commerce. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to specified penalties. Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the United States Trade Representative to discuss issues involving such trade with representatives of countries that are the leading importers, exporters, or consumers of such products. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the progress of efforts to end illegal trade in bear viscera.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Porter, John Edward [R-IL-10] · R–IL

Committees

  • Foreign Affairs Committee
  • Natural Resources Committee
  • Ways and Means Committee
142 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

  2. Executive Comment Requested from Commerce, Interior.

  3. Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.

  4. Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

  5. Referred to House Ways and Means

  6. Referred to House International Relations

  7. Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committees on International Relations, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  8. Referred to House Resources

  9. Introduced in House

  10. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.619 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.619 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.619 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.619 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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