Barrasso Discussion Draft Politicizes Science, Would Limit Protections for Imperiled Wildlife
Washington, DC – Today Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced a discussion draft that would undermine one of America’s bedrock wildlife conservation laws, the Endangered Species Act. While the Act requires the best available science to be used in wildlife protection decisions, Senator Barrasso’s discussion draft would subject wildlife protection decisions to political interference.
“Senator Barrasso’s discussion draft proposes that we go back in time and reverse the incredible successes that we’ve had as a nation protecting animals and plants, and ultimately ourselves,” said Leda Huta, Executive Director of the Endangered Species Coalition. “Why on earth would we do that—especially now that we have an even better understanding of how healthy plant and animal populations give us clean water and clean air? Let’s do more to give our children and grandchildren a clean and healthy planet, not less.”
Although some members of Congress have been seeking to weaken the Act, public opinion research indicates that the law continues to maintain broad, bipartisan, public support. A 2015 poll conducted by Tulchin Research found that 90 percent of American voters across all political, regional and demographic lines support the Endangered Species Act.
The Endangered Species Act was a landmark conservation law that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support: 92-0 in the Senate, and 394-4 in the House. In 2017, more than 400 organizations signed a letter to members of Congress opposing efforts to weaken the Endangered Species Act, noting the law has a 99 percent success rate, including some of the country’s most exciting wildlife recoveries, like the bald eagles, humpback whales, American alligators, Channel Island foxes, Tennessee purple coneflowers, and more.
Scientific consensus indicates that we are in the sixth wave of extinction. The main tool in the United States to battle this human-caused crisis is the Endangered Species Act, which has been very effective in keeping species from sliding into extinction.
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Photo credit Flickr user Gage Skidmore.
30 comments on “Wyoming GOP Senator Introduces Discussion Draft to Weaken Endangered Species Act”
We need the Endangered Species Act. These animals need to continue to be protected.
damn right we do!
Strongly agree with Jo Wiest! Shame on the Wyoming GOP Senator!!!
Seriously pathetic. Can’t believe people actually want to let endangered species die!!
selfishness is the root of their behavior. It feels so much better give than to receive!
Plain and simple: the ESA has been successful and has had wide bipartisan support. Our earn is ailing – this is not theater. It’s not debatable. Science is not a fiction drummed up by the left to punish Christians. We must not be greedy and arrogant and out a few profits above global health/biodiversity/life support of innocent beings that enrich our world and promote national splendor.
Act now. Don’t gut the ESA. Protect the planet. Have dignity.
your comments are right on! thanks
Hands off the Endangered Species Act! It is working to protect species and needs to remain in full force and effect and should not be weakened in any way.
ABSOLUTELY!!!
I will never understand why officials are so hell bent on destruction.
Apparently they have no scruples. Apparently they don’t even care if their own family members will be injured by this destruction! What a shame.
No!
I support the ESA as long as it addresses native species that need and deserve protection. I am against the list of non-native species that have no place in this act. Arbitrary addition that’s been pushed by Animal Rights activists to hamper and/or end the interaction of humans and animals is an abhorrent overreach of government.
The Act was established for the express protection of the vulnerable numbers of native wildlife at it’s inception. The list has exploded to include any and all animals that the activists have the money to lobby for the inclusion.
I do not support the list as is, now is the time to streamline the program.
Blaming Animal Rights or other activists epitomizes “arbitrary” and is irrelevant. Some iconic species may qualify for ESA listings because of their benefits to other species and ecosystem balances. A more realistic and truthful criticism should be directed toward those who kill wildlife for sport and trophies, which in turn plays havoc with ecosystems (as well as plants and insects) and may impact any species’ sustainability. Thank goodness for activists, most of whom do not have financial wealth but give all they can and volunteer to protect the ESA. May more species be added to ESA listings to stop the “bleeding” at the current unsustainable speed we’re racing along at–with our heads in the sands.
It is unconscionable that Senator John Barrasso has introduced this bill, when there has been ongoing political, scientific and popular support for the Endangered Species Act.
We must in all integrity, allow for continuation of this landmark conservation law.
Dont trust all the states Keep it federal
Our animals need protection more than ever!
Federal protection is preferable to state’s protections…that is, unless Trump and Zinke get their way and gut anything that protects nature.
We have got to protect our wildlife…
A world without precious and unique animals is a sorry future.
please God, don’t let this happen.
prayer is always good, however God has turned much of the world over to us humans. We haven’t done a very good job. Have we! Always worth trying though.
CLIMATE CHANGE, THE CORRUPTION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT AND ESPECIALLY OF ITS ANIMAL AND PLANT LIFE IS THE STUPIDEST MOVE GOING. I DONATE TO EARTHJUSTICE, THE N.R.D.C., MERCY FOR ANIMALS, THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND, THE A.S.P.C.A., AND INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL RESCUE; HOWEVER, ONE EGO-CENTERED POLITICIAN WHO THINKS HE/SHE CAN OUTLAST AND OUTLIVE A DYING PLANET MINDLESSLY, SOULLESSLY MAKES WHAT I DO HARDER THAN IT SHOULD BE.
Unbelievable! Is no living thing safe from the bad governance of this administration?
Please do not allow any weakening of protections for endangered or other animals.
We’re part of the same ecosystem.
Eagles are dying because of Trump with lead bullets
Horrible! What do you expect from a special interest administration!
The ESA has brought back so many species from the brink of extinct – including our national bird – the Bald Eagle! How will this generation of adults be judged by the ones coming after us if they inherit a country that the only place you can see these magnificent animals is in a zoo!
Over 300 species extinct since man joined this planet. How about we start understanding that when wildlife disappears we disappear.Its amazing with all the problems we have in this country the concern of some Senators focus on hunting and killing of animals. When is it time for the voice of the majority to be heard. Its of the people by the people for the people . We need to keep the ESA for all Americans not destroy it for the sake of a few
Our WildLife needs 2 b protected. Y don’t u people learn from past mistakes, or do u even care??? Seems all u care about is money.