Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Will Prevent IN Wildlife from Becoming Endangered

Right now, one-third of all wildlife species in the United States are at increased risk of extinction. In Indiana alone, more than 150 fish and wildlife species are in urgent need of proactive, on-the-ground conservation efforts before they pass the point of no return.

Congress just took the first step toward making those efforts a reality with the introduction of the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. This bill will fund proactive efforts led by state fish and wildlife agencies and tribes to address the nation’s looming wildlife crisis to prevent species from becoming endangered and will be the most significant investment in wildlife conservation in a generation. (Senate Version) (House Version)

At home here in Indiana, this could add over $14 million dollars to the DNR’s budget to restore native landscapes, protect and restore wetlands, and activate numerous species recovery projects that are outlined in our State Wildlife Action Plan that are in need of funding.

During August and September, congress is at home so this is a perfect time to reach out. Please join our efforts in asking your member of Congress to support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act to address severe wildlife conservation challenges such as habitat loss, competition from invasive species, disease, climate impacts, and other threats.

Due to committee assignments, US Senator Mike Braun’s support on this bill would be especially influential. We need your help in reaching him first. You can learn more with this IN factsheet, and funding Q & A factsheet; or simply say: “Senator, please join your colleagues Senators Martin Heinrich and Roy Blunt in cosponsoring the transformative, common-sense bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (S. 2372) today.”

EMAIL SENATOR BRAUN – see cosponsor request template below.
CALL: 202-224-4814
TWEET @SenatorBraun

EMAIL SENATOR YOUNG – see cosponsor request template below.
CALL: 202-224-5623
TWEET @SenToddYoung

Send a thank you email to U.S. House Representative Andre Carson, Indiana’s only #recoverwildlife congressional cosponsor.

EMAIL REPRESENTATIVE CARSON – See thank you template below.
Call: 202-225-4011
TWEET @RepAndreCarson

Need a template letter?

Subject Line: Please Co-Sponsor the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, S. 2372

Dear Senator,

America’s wildlife are essential for our national heritage and our $887 billion dollar outdoor economy. But thanks to challenges like habitat loss, invasive species, emerging diseases, and climate change we’re losing ground and species — and fast.

Right now, more than one-third of our fish and wildlife species are at-risk of becoming extinct. We have already lost more than 150 species that are presumed extinct and another 500 species are missing in action. State fish and wildlife agencies have identified more than 12,000 species of greatest conservation need.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will accelerate the recovery of these species, including the more than 150 U.S. species listed on Indiana’s State Wildlife Action Plan.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is built upon the premise that the best way to save America’s wildlife is through collaborative, proactive, voluntary work before species need more expensive “emergency room procedures” through the Endangered Species Act. I urge you to create a bright future for America’s wildlife and natural heritage by supporting and co-sponsoring S. 2372.

Sincerely,

Thank-you Letter Template

Subject line: Thank you for supporting the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act

Dear Representative Carson,

I am writing to thank you for co-sponsoring H.R. 2773, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, and asking you to do all you can to ensure it passes and is signed into law.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act invests in proactive, on-the-ground, collaborative conservation efforts that match the magnitude of America’s wildlife crisis. Healthy wildlife populations are a vital component of our national heritage and our $887 billion dollar outdoor economy. But our diverse array of fish and wildlife is in crisis with more than one-third of all species at risk of becoming endangered. Challenges facing our fish and wildlife in the 21st century include habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, and emerging diseases.

Thank you for standing up for wildlife through your support of this bipartisan legislation. I urge you to continue advocating for passage of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act in the 117th Congress.

Sincerely,

New Video Indiana Climate Change: Fishing the White River

Indiana Wildlife Federation’s “Fishing the White River” shows the threat of climate change to the White River and the current impacts on some of Indiana’s best fly fishing locations.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (August 23, 2021) – A new 4 min short video released this week explores how fly fishing on the White River in central Indiana has been impacted by climate-driven severe weather over the years. The film focuses on the ways that seasonal flooding and temperature increases are changing White River habitats and other Indiana river systems. Fishing the White River, was released by the Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF), and features local fly fishing guide Jason DeArman of Two Forks Guide Service.

In addition to the video IWF has added online resources at www.indianawildlife.org/climate outlining how equitable policies and programs can create jobs, tackle climate change, and harness the power of nature to enhance long-term health for people and wildlife alike. “Hunters and anglers are often times the first to notice changes in the environment because of their intimate knowledge of a natural place,” says Emily Wood, executive director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation. “As heavy rain events, hotter summers, and milder winters, become more frequent throughout the Midwest, the IWF hopes to galvanize these outdoor users to take action for climate before these places are gone.”

This video was filmed, produced, and edited by Leslie Lorance of Indianapolis and supported by a grant from the National Wildlife Federation.

Fishing the White River can seen below or viewed on YouTube and the Indiana Wildlife Federation’s Facebook Page.

Goble shows multiple caterpillars on a leaf in one of her cages designed to keep them safe July 18, 2021. The caterpillars eat anywhere from fourteen to twenty before curving into a J and forming their cocoon.

Monarchs have a friend in Indiana

Story and photos by Abbie Gressley, Indiana Wildlife Federation 2021 Summer Habitat Intern

When Amanda Goble first started raising monarch butterflies three years ago, she only knew there weren’t many in her area. Little did she know the process she loves so much would soon be making a larger impact on the monarch population.

“I realize it is a small part to help, but any small thing could make a big impact eventually,” says the 46-year-old from Marion, Indiana.

The eastern migratory population of monarch butterflies decreased by 84% between the winters of 1996–1997 and 2014–2015, and the much smaller western monarch population has declined 74% since the late 1990s, according to the Indiana Monarch Conservation Plan (IMCP).

The IMCP was influenced by those interested in monarch butterfly conservation and habitat restoration in an attempt to reverse the population decline of North American monarchs.

Goble says they had almost lost monarchs in the area due to chemical spraying for bugs on crops and people using them at their own homes without the pollinators. So, she planted milkweed seeds for the monarchs to lay eggs on and had her husband build screened in cages to protect the caterpillars and cocoons from other bugs.

“I have an abundance of praying mantis in my yard, and they will eat them, so this gives them a safe place to stay in hopes that they will make it to butterflies,” she says.

Goble starts her process in the spring to make sure the milkweed is growing and plant more if needed. In July, the monarchs start showing up for nectar and begin laying eggs on the plants. She then watches for caterpillars and takes them to the cages to finish growing. It takes about fourteen to twenty days for them to eat before creating a J with their bodies and forming a cocoon. The cocoon will hatch within seven to nine days.

“Finding the caterpillars and letting the butterflies go is about all the hands-on work you need to do, the rest they do on their own,” Goble says. “I try not to interfere with their process too much.”

Goble says she loves the whole process and only wishes to help them grow to adulthood.

“I think it’s fascinating how an egg the size of a pinhead can grow to a caterpillar then change into a butterfly out of a small cocoon,” she says. “Watching them fly away is my favorite part; I say goodbye to each one and wish them well on their journey.”

According to the IMCP, Indiana, along with other Midwestern states, comprises a particularly important portion of the range of the eastern population of monarch butterflies, supplying much of the breeding and migrating habitat that produces the migratory generation of the eastern monarch population.

Goble is one of many in Indiana playing a small role for a much bigger cause for these butterflies.

“I just let the butterflies fly away in hopes that they will live to make new caterpillars and butterflies,” she says. “I hope to continue to give the butterflies a chance to survive and keep coming back to our area.”

: A monarch hatches August 2, 2021. It takes the monarch about three hours to dry its wings after hatching.

: Four cocoons hang in the corner of one of the cages July 28, 2021. One of the caterpillars just turned into a cocoon and is brighter green than the others.

: Many cocoons hang from a board Goble hangs from her cage July 28, 2021. The cocoons originally formed on a leaf that other caterpillars would eat through if left there.

: A caterpillar forms its J next to other cocoons July 28, 2021. The cages help keep other bugs from eating the caterpillars or cocoons.

: A caterpillar forms its J next to other cocoons July 28, 2021. The cages help keep other bugs from eating the caterpillars or cocoons.

: Many cocoons hang from a board Goble hangs from her cage July 28, 2021. The cocoons originally formed on a leaf that other caterpillars would eat through if left there.

: Goble shows multiple caterpillars on a leaf in one of her cages designed to keep them safe July 18, 2021. The caterpillars eat anywhere from fourteen to twenty before curving into a J and forming their cocoon.

: A caterpillar forms into a J July 28, 2021. The J is a sign that the caterpillar will soon form its cocoon.

: A caterpillar forms into a J July 28, 2021. The J is a sign that the caterpillar will soon form its cocoon.

: A caterpillar forms into a J July 28, 2021. The J is a sign that the caterpillar will soon form its cocoon.

: Goble shows a caterpillar on a leaf in one of her cages designed to keep them safe July 18, 2021. The caterpillars eat anywhere from fourteen to twenty before curving into a J and forming their cocoon.

: A tiny caterpillar on a leaf inside Goble’s cage July 18, 2021. The caterpillar recently hatched from its egg and begins eating the plants.

: Monarch egg on milkweed plant July 5, 2021. Once the eggs turn into caterpillars, Goble takes them to her cages so they can continue eating and growing.

: Monarch egg on milkweed plant July 5, 2021. Once the eggs turn into caterpillars, Goble takes them to her cages so they can continue eating and growing.

: Monarch egg on milkweed plant July 5, 2021. Once the eggs turn into caterpillars, Goble takes them to her cages so they can continue eating and growing.

: Goble shows a caterpillar on a leaf in one of her cages designed to keep them safe July 18, 2021. The caterpillars eat anywhere from fourteen to twenty before curving into a J and forming their cocoon.

: Goble shows small caterpillars on a leaf in one of her cages designed to keep them safe July 18, 2021. The caterpillars eat anywhere from fourteen to twenty before curving into a J and forming their cocoon.

: Goble shows small caterpillars on a leaf in one of her cages designed to keep them safe July 18, 2021. The caterpillars eat anywhere from fourteen to twenty before curving into a J and forming their cocoon.

: Goble checks on her caterpillars July 18, 2021. She brings many caterpillars to the cages daily from the milkweed plants.

: One of Goble’s cages she built for her monarch process. They are full of milkweed plants and have locks on them so the caterpillars cannot escape.

: Some of the plants Goble planted for her monarchs to lay eggs on. She has them all around her yard.

: Goble’s porch and set up for her monarchs. Majority of the plants are milkweed.

: Some of the plants Goble planted for her monarchs to lay eggs on. She has them all around her yard.

: One of Goble’s cages she built for her monarch process. They are full of milkweed plants and have locks on them so the caterpillars cannot escape.

: One of Goble’s cages she built for her monarch process. Her husband has built three of them for her.

: A caterpillar forms into a J July 28, 2021. The J is a sign that the caterpillar will soon form its cocoon.

: A monarch hatches August 2, 2021. It takes the cocoon about seven to nine days to hatch into a butterfly.

: A monarch hatches August 2, 2021. It takes the cocoon about seven to nine days to hatch into a butterfly.

: A monarch hatches August 2, 2021. It takes the cocoon about seven to nine days to hatch into a butterfly.

: A monarch hatches August 2, 2021. It takes the cocoon about seven to nine days to hatch into a butterfly.

: A caterpillar forms into a J July 28, 2021. The J is a sign that the caterpillar will soon form its cocoon.

: A monarch nears hatching August 2, 2021. The cocoons turn clear right before the butterfly hatches.

: A monarch hatches August 2, 2021. It takes the cocoon about seven to nine days to hatch into a butterfly.

: A monarch hatches August 2, 2021. It takes the cocoon about seven to nine days to hatch into a butterfly.

: A monarch nears hatching August 2, 2021. The cocoons turn clear right before the butterfly hatches.

: A monarch nears hatching August 2, 2021. The cocoons turn clear right before the butterfly hatches.

: Goble and her husband check on the caterpillars July 18, 2021. They watch the caterpillars daily and continue to wait for the monarchs to hatch.

: Sarah Goble in front of her monarch cages August 2, 2021. She has been raising monarchs for three years.

: Goble watches as the monarch lands on her right before flying away August 2, 2021. The monarchs usually stick around for awhile before completely flying away.

: Goble holds the newly hatched monarch August 2, 2021. She waited about three hours to release the monarch from the cage in order for its wings to dry.

: A monarch hatches August 2, 2021. It takes the monarch about three hours to dry its wings after hatching.

: Four cocoons hang in the corner of one of the cages July 28, 2021. One of the caterpillars just turned into a cocoon and is brighter green than the others.

: Many cocoons hang from a board Goble hangs from her cage July 28, 2021. The cocoons originally formed on a leaf that other caterpillars would eat through if left there.

: A caterpillar forms its J next to other cocoons July 28, 2021. The cages help keep other bugs from eating the caterpillars or cocoons.

: A caterpillar forms its J next to other cocoons July 28, 2021. The cages help keep other bugs from eating the caterpillars or cocoons.

: Many cocoons hang from a board Goble hangs from her cage July 28, 2021. The cocoons originally formed on a leaf that other caterpillars would eat through if left there.

: Goble shows multiple caterpillars on a leaf in one of her cages designed to keep them safe July 18, 2021. The caterpillars eat anywhere from fourteen to twenty before curving into a J and forming their cocoon.

: A caterpillar forms into a J July 28, 2021. The J is a sign that the caterpillar will soon form its cocoon.

: A caterpillar forms into a J July 28, 2021. The J is a sign that the caterpillar will soon form its cocoon.

: A caterpillar forms into a J July 28, 2021. The J is a sign that the caterpillar will soon form its cocoon.

: Goble shows a caterpillar on a leaf in one of her cages designed to keep them safe July 18, 2021. The caterpillars eat anywhere from fourteen to twenty before curving into a J and forming their cocoon.

: A tiny caterpillar on a leaf inside Goble’s cage July 18, 2021. The caterpillar recently hatched from its egg and begins eating the plants.

: Monarch egg on milkweed plant July 5, 2021. Once the eggs turn into caterpillars, Goble takes them to her cages so they can continue eating and growing.

: Monarch egg on milkweed plant July 5, 2021. Once the eggs turn into caterpillars, Goble takes them to her cages so they can continue eating and growing.

: Monarch egg on milkweed plant July 5, 2021. Once the eggs turn into caterpillars, Goble takes them to her cages so they can continue eating and growing.

: Goble shows a caterpillar on a leaf in one of her cages designed to keep them safe July 18, 2021. The caterpillars eat anywhere from fourteen to twenty before curving into a J and forming their cocoon.

: Goble shows small caterpillars on a leaf in one of her cages designed to keep them safe July 18, 2021. The caterpillars eat anywhere from fourteen to twenty before curving into a J and forming their cocoon.

: Goble shows small caterpillars on a leaf in one of her cages designed to keep them safe July 18, 2021. The caterpillars eat anywhere from fourteen to twenty before curving into a J and forming their cocoon.

: Goble checks on her caterpillars July 18, 2021. She brings many caterpillars to the cages daily from the milkweed plants.

: One of Goble’s cages she built for her monarch process. They are full of milkweed plants and have locks on them so the caterpillars cannot escape.

: Some of the plants Goble planted for her monarchs to lay eggs on. She has them all around her yard.

: Goble’s porch and set up for her monarchs. Majority of the plants are milkweed.

: Some of the plants Goble planted for her monarchs to lay eggs on. She has them all around her yard.

: One of Goble’s cages she built for her monarch process. They are full of milkweed plants and have locks on them so the caterpillars cannot escape.

: One of Goble’s cages she built for her monarch process. Her husband has built three of them for her.

: A caterpillar forms into a J July 28, 2021. The J is a sign that the caterpillar will soon form its cocoon.

: A monarch hatches August 2, 2021. It takes the cocoon about seven to nine days to hatch into a butterfly.

: A monarch hatches August 2, 2021. It takes the cocoon about seven to nine days to hatch into a butterfly.

: A monarch hatches August 2, 2021. It takes the cocoon about seven to nine days to hatch into a butterfly.

: A monarch hatches August 2, 2021. It takes the cocoon about seven to nine days to hatch into a butterfly.

: A caterpillar forms into a J July 28, 2021. The J is a sign that the caterpillar will soon form its cocoon.

: A monarch nears hatching August 2, 2021. The cocoons turn clear right before the butterfly hatches.

: A monarch hatches August 2, 2021. It takes the cocoon about seven to nine days to hatch into a butterfly.

: A monarch hatches August 2, 2021. It takes the cocoon about seven to nine days to hatch into a butterfly.

: A monarch nears hatching August 2, 2021. The cocoons turn clear right before the butterfly hatches.

: A monarch nears hatching August 2, 2021. The cocoons turn clear right before the butterfly hatches.

: Goble and her husband check on the caterpillars July 18, 2021. They watch the caterpillars daily and continue to wait for the monarchs to hatch.

: Sarah Goble in front of her monarch cages August 2, 2021. She has been raising monarchs for three years.

: Goble watches as the monarch lands on her right before flying away August 2, 2021. The monarchs usually stick around for awhile before completely flying away.

: Goble holds the newly hatched monarch August 2, 2021. She waited about three hours to release the monarch from the cage in order for its wings to dry.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is A Good Step, but Much More is Needed on Climate

The bipartisan infrastructure bill, called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is being debated and voted on in the Senate. While the bill touches on many urgent infrastructure needs, it does not directly address climate change at nearly the scale needed. That is why Congress must also pass a larger package that tackles climate change head on.

The bipartisan bill does have some good things for climate:
- Helps reduce climate pollution from cars and trucks and funds electric vehicle charging infrastructure
- Upgrades the electric grid and transmission system to prepare for new wind and solar as well as smart metering and EVs
- Helps plug orphan oil and gas wells that are major sources of methane pollution and reclaim abandoned mine lands so they can be restored for nature
- Invests in carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS) and direct air capture (taking CO2 out of the air directly so it can be used or stored underground) and the pipelines and other infrastructure needed to move CO2 from where it is captured to where it will be stored or turned into a useful product like concrete
- Puts some needed funding into ecosystem restoration, wildfire prevention and management, and Western water management.

However, while measures like EV infrastructure, grid upgrades, and CCUS investments help enable future climate gains, there is a lot more needed from Congress to address climate now. On August 9, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is expected to come out with another update on our warming planet, and will sound the alarm that climate impacts are already widespread and severe in the U.S. Emissions must come down swiftly for the globe to have a chance at keeping within a 1.5-degree warming limit – the point after which impacts become disastrous.

Climate items that are not included in the bipartisan bill that are badly needed through a larger budget reconciliation package include:
- A plan to move electric utilities off of coal and gas in favor of clean power sources by 2035
- A robust extension of tax credits for installing and producing clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency upgrades, and electric vehicle purchases
- Tax credits for new transmission lines that will carry electricity from new wind and solar plants to the communities where it will be used
- Tax incentives for the production of clean energy machinery and electric vehicles so America is leading the way in manufacturing these things at home
- Investments in ecosystem restoration and resilience that fully meet the need and empower nature to thrive and help draw down CO2
- A 21^st century Civilian Conservation/Climate Corps to tackle climate change, restore our lands and waters, make our communities more resilient, and create jobs

The science is clear: We need to act now if we are going to prevent a climate disaster. This moment is the time to go big and act decisively. Congress must pass the bipartisan bill that sets the stage, then move on to the main event.

Tell Hoosier senators to act on climate now by supporting the inclusion of these items!

EMAIL SENATOR YOUNG
CALL: 202-224-5623
TWEET @SenToddYoung

EMAIL SENATOR BRAUN
CALL: 202-224-4814
TWEET @SenatorBraun

DC Legislative Update: August 2 – 6, 2021

Check here for the 2021 Senate Calendar
Check here for the 2021 House Calendar

Upcoming Congressional Hearings

Senate Appropriations Committee
- Monday, August 2 at 5:30pm EST: Markup of the “Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022.”

Monday, August 2 at 5:45pm EST: Markup of the “Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, ”
Wednesday, August 4 at 10am EST: Markup of the FY 22 Energy and Water, Agriculture, and MilCon VA Appropriations

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Tuesday, August 3 at 10am EST: Hearing to consider the nominations of Dr. Geraldine Richmond to be Under Secretary for Science, Department of Energy;Ms. Cynthia Weiner Stachelberg to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior (Policy, Management, and Budget); and Asmeret Berhe to be Director of the Office of Science, Department of Energy.”
- Thursday, August 5 at 10am EST: Hearing On The Role Of And Programs Within the DOE’s Office Of Science.

Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- Tuesday, August 3 at 2:30pm EST: “Toxic Marketing Claims and Their ”
- Wednesday, August 4 at 10am EST: Hearing to consider a number of nominations as well as a few bills, including 1880, Protecting Indian Tribes from Scams Act.
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
- Wednesday, August 4 at 10am EST: Hearing on three of President Biden’s nominees to key positions at the Environmental Protection Agency.

Senate Agriculture Committee
- Thursday, August 5 at 10am EST: To consider the following nomination: Homer L. Wilkes to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment.

Congressional News

Last week, Reps. Lowenthal [D-CA] and Fitzpatrick [R-PA], along with 47 bipartisan cosponsors, introduced the Migratory Bird Protection Act to safeguard and strengthen longstanding protections for North America’s migratory Read NWF’s press release here.
NWF’s Tracy Stone-Manning received her first of three floor votes on Tuesday, winning the support of the full Democratic caucus. The Senate will hold one more procedural vote before a final confirmation Timing on these votes is unclear.
The Senate, in a bipartisan 58-41 vote, confirmed Todd Kim as assistant attorney general in charge of the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
The Senate confirmed Janie Hipp for General Counsel of the US Department of Hipp’s nomination advanced through the Senate Agriculture Committee with bipartisan support on May 27.
The Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing on the nominations of Xochitl Torres Small to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development and Robert Bonnie to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation.

The House passed a minibus that included seven appropriations bills, including the Interior-EPA, Energy & Water, and Agriculture subcommittee The Senate begins work on appropriations this week, with three hearings scheduled for the committee.
In previous weeks, Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee agreed to a $3.5 trillion top-line spending level to address President Biden’s priorities, laid out in the American Families Plan and American Jobs We expect movement on the budget resolution in the coming weeks.
Last week, the Clean Economy Coalition of Color convened to discuss ways that federal investment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs and businesses can ensure every community doesn’t just survive, but thrive in a clean energy future. Stay tuned for the next convening.

Last week, NWF’s Collin O’Mara testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee – on water infrastructure – and the House Natural Resources’ Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee – on a number of wildlife bills, including Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. See here and here for O’Mara’s testimonies, respectfully.

Administrative News

The White House nominated Jainey Bavishi for Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Department of Bavishi has advocated for confronting climate change, and, if confirmed, will serve as one of the two top deputies to NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad.
See here for White House resources, including a comprehensive list of Executive orders to address COVID, the climate crisis, and environmental justice, among other topics.

What’s Happening This Week

The House is in The Senate is expected to work on infrastructure this week.
Last week, the Senate voted 67-32 to proceed towards consideration of a bipartisan infrastructure Over the weekend, the Senate released bill text for the $1 trillion dollar package – see here for text. We anticipate Senate passage in the coming weeks.
NWF will continue to weigh in with offices on organizational priorities. NWF’s statement on the bill is here, and the White House fact sheet is here. In addition, check out this new white paper, led by Brittney Parker and Jessie Ritter, which details opportunities to advance natural infrastructure through FEMA and HUD funding
As Congress continues to work to advance reconciliation and appropriations, please feel free to share NWF’s 117th Congress National Policy Agenda.