WASHINGTON, D.C.  — The National Wildlife Federation congratulated U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) on becoming the next Senate Republican leader and pledged to build upon his previous leadership on wildlife conservation and habitat restoration.

“Congratulations to Senator John Thune on securing the votes of his colleagues to lead the U.S. Senate Republican conference,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “Senator Thune has been a leading voice for the essential role our wildlife and conservation play in rural economies and ways of life, including his leadership on the bipartisan American Prairie Conservation Act and his work to modernize the Conservation Reserve Program in a way that works for both farmers and wildlife. The next several years will be decisive as Congress works to address the immense and interconnected wildlife and conservation challenges we face. We look forward to working with the incoming Senate majority leader to make progress wherever possible.”