The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, in cooperation with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, held the first Congressional Breakfast Briefing of the 111th Congress today.

A recent action by the Obama administration has left anglers and the fishing industry scratching their heads. Last week, the National Park Service (NPS) suddenly announced it would ban lead fishing tackle in national parks by 2010.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the shooting, hunting and firearms industry. Formed in 1961, the National Shooting Sports Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with a membership of more than 4,800 manufacturers, distributors, retailers, sportsmen's organizations and publishers.

Responding to Attorney General Eric Holder's comment yesterday that the Obama Administration will attempt to reinstate a ban against semi-automatic rifles, the National Shooting Sports Foundation reminded Congress and all Americans that such a ban would cause jobs to be lost in a difficult economy, have no effect on reducing crime and would deprive millions of law-abiding sportsmen and gun owners of their Constitutional right to own the firearm of their choice.

The National Rifle Association is currently taking applications from outstanding high school sophomores and juniors to participate in the 13th Annual Youth Education Summit July 6th-12th. Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity!

Three broadcast veterans have come together to create a new type of firearms television show designed to display new products in innovative ways to a large audience. Beginning in July, "Guns & Gear" will air on the Fox Sports Network, available in 69 million households.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more commonly known as the stimulus bill, went through a very quick and very controversial approval process over the past few weeks. The end result features great projects for fish and wildlife. Among the $787 billion in programs aimed at creating jobs, the TRCP, working with its partner organizations and the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, ensured that some of that money was set aside to enhance habitat.

Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced yesterday that more than $740.9 million will be distributed to the fish and wildlife agencies of the 50 states, commonwealths, the District of Columbia, and territories to fund fish and wildlife conservation, boater access to public waters, and hunter and aquatic education.

American Bass Anglers (ABA) and the Union Sportsmen's Alliance (USA) have teamed up to further the sport of bass fishing among union members while promoting the conservation of our Nation's natural resources. American Bass Anglers will offer USA members the opportunity to participate in specially designated ABA activities and services. USA members will be able to track their point standings and compete against their union brothers and sisters within their designated trade association in the same manner that ABA Competition Team members presently track their standings.