Safari Club International (SCI) is proud to announce that its Senior Litigation Counsel, Regina Lennox, testified before Congress today on the need for targeted reforms to the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) to ensure the federal government does not subsidize unnecessary or low-value lawsuits.

Too often, such lawsuits have interfered with the U.S government’s science-based findings and ability to properly manage wildlife and wildlife habitat to the detriment of conservation and to the financial benefit of special interest groups and trial lawyers.

Speaking to the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Lennox emphasized that EAJA should function as Congress originally intended by leveling the playing field for small businesses and individuals, not to subsidize repeated, duplicative, or marginal litigation brought by well-funded special interest organizations.

She highlighted two recent cases that illustrate how EAJA has drifted from its original purpose:

• SCI defended the Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2017 decision to delist Yellowstone grizzly bears. Six sets of plaintiffs filed suit and lost most of their claims, yet still sought over $1 million in attorneys’ fees, despite the tens or hundreds of millions in net assets several of the organizations have.
• In a 2023 case, SCI defended the Service after three organizations represented by Earthjustice challenged the withdrawal of proposed lead-ammunition restrictions on a refuge, even though the agency made clear it could revisit the issue through future rulemaking. The plaintiffs filed a complaint and negotiated a settlement requiring the Service to take actions it had already committed to, yet still received $35,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs. SCI opposed the settlement, but the district court approved it within days.

“The government should not subsidize lawsuits against itself from wealthy special interest groups,” Lennox concluded. “Amending EAJA would reinforce Congress’ intent and potentially reduce unnecessary and unproductive litigation.”

Chair Paul Gosar (R-AZ) noted that SCI, representing hunters, is responsible for increasing populations of wildlife around the world. Lennox confirmed and identified how hunters benefit wildlife through habitat conservation and wildlife funding.

SCI remains committed to working with Congress constructively to advance reforms that promote responsible governance, science-based wildlife management, and fairness under the law.

About Safari Club International

Safari Club International is a global conservation organization dedicated to protecting wildlife, defending the freedom to hunt, and promoting sustainable conservation worldwide. With more than 100,000 members and advocates, SCI supports science-based wildlife management and conservation policies, the protection of hunters’ rights, and public education about the role of regulated hunting in conservation.