The U.S. House of Representatives today averted what would have been the greatest threat to the Endangered Species Act in recent history.
An amendment to the House Interior Appropriations bill (HR 2584) introduced by Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) and co-sponsored by Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) struck a radical provision that would have pushed hundreds of species closer to extinction.
The now relegated proposal, dubbed the Extinction Rider, would have slashed protections for wildlife and debilitated the statutory power of the Endangered Species Act by standing in the way of protections for species and their habitat.
Species including Pacific Walruses, Wolverines, and Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout would have been denied needed protections under the Act.
The Dicks-Fitzpatrick-Thompson-Hanabusa Amendment passed the full House 224-202 marking an enormous win for wildlife against entrenched big money special interests. Thank you to everyone who took action by contacting their Representative opposing the Extinction Rider!
Visit our website to find out if your Representative voted for the Extinction Rider and send them an email thanking them, or asking them to do better next time.
2 comments on “Excellent News for Endangered Species! Extinction Rider Defeated in House”
I was sick when I heard what they were proposing. I had to hear about it on Bill Maher’s show of all places. Thank the earth that it didn’t go through.
Is there anything we can do to help the polar bears?