Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed resolutions under the Congressional Review Act to repeal Biden administration rules providing protections to the northern long-eared bat and the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act. The Senate passed similar resolutions earlier this year, sending the bills to President Biden, who has vowed to veto them.
The population of the northern long-eared bat has dropped drastically due to disease, habitat loss, and oil and gas extraction. The range of the lesser prairie chicken has similarly dwindled to a tenth of its original size
In response, Bradley Williams, Associate Director of Legislative and Administrative Advocacy, Wildlife and Lands Protection at Sierra Club, issued the following statement:
“Today’s move is the latest attack by congressional Republicans on the Endangered Species Act. From poison pill riders in must-pass spending bills to the Congressional Review Act, the GOP is using every opportunity it can to dismantle one of our country’s bedrock environmental laws.
“With the current mass extinction crisis accelerating every day, now is the time we should be strengthening the ESA, not undercutting it. We urge President Biden to follow-through on his promise to veto these resolutions and ensure these and other vulnerable species remain protected.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.