SEEC Decries House Republican Rollbacks on Endangered Species Protections

Washington, D.C. – The leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko, Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Matt Cartwright, Sean Casten, Chellie Pingree, and Katie Porter, and Chair Emeritus Rep. Gerry Connolly, released the following statement in response to the passage of the Republican-led resolutions to rescind endangered species protections for the lesser prairie-chicken (S.J.Res. 9) and the northern long-eared bat (S.J.Res. 24).

“Congressional Republicans are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to undermine our bedrock environmental laws. This week marks the first time Congress has used the Congressional Review Act to overturn an endangered species listing made by the scientists and experts at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Since the bipartisan passage of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 50 years ago, the ESA has played a vital role in protecting American wildlife. Because of the law’s protections, a majority of ESA-listed species are still here with us today. Yet, Republicans continue their troubling trend of choosing politics over science to line the pockets of special interests.

“America has a proud history of wildlife conservation, and we must continue to safeguard conservation efforts for species that are intimately linked to the treasured American landscape. SEEC will continue to uphold the commitment Congress made 50 years ago to protect our nation’s vibrant wildlife and the habitats they live in for future generations.”