We want to take a moment to say “Thank you” to all of our readers that have been taking our “One Call” to action.

Since February, we have been asking you to make a simple call to your representatives to “keep public lands in public hands” (and not sell them off) and not to approve killing healthy wild horses and burros or selling them without limits (slaughter).

We wanted to let you know that the bill backed by Mark Amodei (R-NV) to sell of large swathes of public lands has been stripped from the reconciliation of the  2025 Appropriations bill as the House version moves to the Senate. The House bill still contains deep cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and guts to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections. There is a lot of work yet to do. Our wild places and every wild being are in danger.

However, recognizing that pressure from constituents with varied interests and political points of view, including your efforts, stopped dangerous language that would have allowed rapid sale of public lands is important. Stay vocal.

The bill that moved from the House is NOT the Appropriations (spending) bill for fiscal 2026 (that will contain specific line items for the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program).

We have been informed that we can expect the White House full 2026 proposed budget around Memorial Day. You can see what a full budget request looks like HERE (multiple documents with very specific program detail). All the White House has released is what they are calling the “skinny budget” or simply an overview HERE.The bill that will outline program budget and language for wild horses and burros (2026 Appropriations bill) has not been drafted and begins with the formal White House request that we are still waiting to see. 

When the full and formal 2026 White House Budget Request has been published we will let you know and give you a detailed summary of language in the request that will impact our wild ones. 

We know there are a lot of sign-on letters and petitions. WHE has one such automated letter right now asking that a science-based review be done of the Wild Horse and Burro Program before any additional funding or program changes (that could include killing horses and burros in holding.) You can sign and send one HERE.

However, this is a very chaotic time and your lawmakers are getting sign-on letters and petitions by the stack full each day on so many issues. Calling stands out. Making an appointment to speak with an aide (if you have time) really stands out. 

It might not seem like much, but continuing to make that one simple call really does make a difference. Most people do not make time to pick up a phone these days except to check text messages. Calling your reps registers a very “active” interest.

Aides keep track of the number of calls that come in and the related subject matter. With so much going on, simply registering the words “protect wild horses and burros” informs your lawmakers that this issue is one that is important and will impact your votes in 2 years during the next round of Congressional elections.

Even if you have limited time, would you continue to make that one simple call?

Call the Congressional Switchboard at: (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your representatives. Tell them: Public lands must be left in the public domain and not given away or sold. Wild horses and burros on the range and in holding must not be killed or sold to slaughter.

Can you please make sure Congress does not forget that our wild horses and burros matter to the American people?

WHE will keep up the legal battle. 

Together, we are taking a strong stand to protect and preserve our wild ones. 

All of our work is only possible with your support. 

We thank you for being a vital part of the work of WHE at this critical time. Your support keeps our teams in the field, our investigations running and our litigation alive. Together, we will take a strong stand for our wild ones.