The House Agriculture Committee voted to recommend Senate Concurrent Resolution 4,006, which urges Congress to establish federal protections for the wild horse herd at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, following multiple hours of testimony from advocates, local residents and scientists.

Sen. Josh Boushey introduced the resolution, saying it would ask Congress to provide a special designation and protections to preserve the herd in place. "Our goal is to pass this resolution so that the advocates, when they go out and visit with these folks in D.C., can share this resolution," Boushey said, citing the need for federal action to make any protection lasting.

Supporters said the herd has cultural and economic value and raised concerns about recent park management actions. Christine Kamann of Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates told the committee the herd "drives tourism within our state" and estimated the horses bring at least $37 million to North Dakota’s economy annually. She and other witnesses described helicopter roundups, use of the fertility-control drug GonaCon and GPS collars as part of recent management actions that alarm the public.

Longtime local witness Frank Kuntz recounted the herd’s history and described changes he said weakened the herd's genetic and cultural integrity. Biologist Dr. Birgit Puss testified she has photographed the herd extensively and expressed concern about reproductive viability after repeated use of contraception in the herd: "For me as a biologist ... the herd is at risk of dying out just because there's no more reproduction."

Support also came from documentary filmmakers and national advocates who said federal protection would help avoid repeated management changes and preserve the herd’s role in the park’s visitor experience. Witnesses noted the state legislature and several local governments previously passed supportive resolutions; supporters asked the House committee to add the state’s voice to federal advocacy.

Opposition was limited in the record; committee members nonetheless asked about management jurisdiction and precedent. Members also referenced past committee action: the Legislature passed a nonbinding resolution in 2023 asking park management to halt removals. Those earlier actions and broad public interest contributed to committee support for the new resolution.

Representative Dwight moved a due-pass recommendation and asked that the resolution be placed on the consent calendar; Representative Freiberg seconded. The clerk called the roll and the motion passed with a recorded tally of 11 yes, 1 no, and 2 not voting. Representative White was noted as the carrier. The committee recorded the motion as passed and placed SCR 4,006 for further processing with a do-pass recommendation.

Ending — The committee’s recommendation adds the House Agriculture Committee’s official support for federal action to protect the Theodore Roosevelt National Park wild-horse herd; the resolution will be transmitted to federal contacts and to the full House for concurrence, providing advocates a legislative document to show to congressional offices.