Bill would sanction countries involved in illegal ivory trade

Rep. Peter DeFazioPeter Anthony DeFazioOn the Trail: Five House results illustrate a politically divided America OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Down ballot races carry environmental implications | US officially exits Paris climate accord  Democrats, GOP fighting over largest House battlefield in a decade MORE (D-Ore.) has introduced legislation that would impose trade sanctions on countries involved with ivory trafficking.

DeFazio, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said the illegal ivory trade ultimately helps fund terrorist organizations. He argued his bill would protect elephants and park rangers, as well as reduce the amount of money funneled to terrorists.

"As many as 40,000 elephants were slaughtered in 2013 alone for their tusks and over 1,000 park rangers have been killed trying to protect endangered wildlife," DeFazio said. "It also funds extremely dangerous terrorist groups that threaten regional stability in Africa and national security in the United States. We need to choke off the access to the market."

Terrorist groups that benefit from the illegal ivory trade include the Lord's Resistance Army and Al-Shabaab, according to the United Nations Security Council.