IV 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 170 
Expressing the commitment of the House of Representatives to work to 
combat the nationwide problem of invasive species threatening native 
ecosystems. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 2, 2017 
Ms. STEFANIK (for herself and Mr. THOMPSON of California) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Re-
sources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall with-
in the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing the commitment of the House of Representatives 
to work to combat the nationwide problem of invasive 
species threatening native ecosystems. 
Whereas approximately 50,000 nonnative invasive animal and 
plant species have been introduced to the United States, 
resulting in economic costs estimated at more than 
$100,000,000,000 annually; 
Whereas ports in the northeast were the center of inter-
national shipping trade and immigration during our Na-
tion’s founding and the earliest known record of invasive 
species in the United States dates back to 1794; 
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•HRES 170 IH 
Whereas all 50 States and the United States territories have 
at least some form of invasive plants and animals; 
Whereas invasive species pose a serious threat to native ani-
mal and plant communities and may result in extinctions 
of native species; 
Whereas invasive species cause significant disruptions to nat-
ural ecosystems as native and nonnative species compete 
for limited resources, reduce biodiversity, and alter ter-
restrial or aquatic habitats; 
Whereas invasive species can cause damage that spans an 
enormous range of effects, including: power outages; loss 
of farmland property value; contamination of grain; 
spread of human and other diseases; increased operating 
costs; loss of irrigation water; collapse of buildings; com-
petition with native plants; loss of sport, game, or endan-
gered species; and ecosystem disturbance; 
Whereas there exists three major pathways for habitat inva-
sion, including: transportation corridors such as seaways, 
railroads and highways; intentionally imported nonnative 
pets, landscaping plants, aquaculture; and nonnative or-
ganisms deliberately released for propagation in the wild; 
Whereas there is an urgent need for funding to prevent and 
preempt the introduction and spread of invasive species 
from key points of entry, and a focus on stopping them 
at their sources of entry; and 
Whereas numerous Federal agencies, operating under a 
patchwork of laws, regulations, policies, and programs, 
are tasked with monitoring and controlling the spread of 
invasive species yet gaps in authorities or shortages of 
personnel have hampered efforts to limit the entrance of 
and damage from invasive species: Now, therefore, be it 
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•HRES 170 IH 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives commits 
to working constructively to create a comprehensive solu-
tion to the threat of invasive species throughout the 
United States by controlling and eradicating established 
invasive species populations, and preventing the further 
introduction, intentional or unintentionally, of nonnative 
species into native ecosystems. 
Æ 
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