Democrats’ definition of proposed endangered species bill raises alarm

Senate Democrats raised alarms about the proposed change to the definition of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

A group, including the democratic Adam Schiff (California), Cory Booker (NJ) and Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), wrote to Home Secretary Doug Burgum to express concern about the rules proposed by the Trump administration that would relax federal federal protection for endangered species.

The draft rules of the Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) repeal the current definition of “hazards” prohibited by ESA.

Currently, institutions interpret harm as including damage to species habitat, but the Trump administration is trying to change this aspect of the rules. It will abandon restrictions on industrial activities that may damage endangered animal habitats, even if the animals themselves are not harmed.

The Democrats argued in the letter that the government’s reading of the regulations presented an “end” of the ESA and “completely negated” Congress’ intention when the bill was passed in 1973 to protect endangered species from extinction.

Members pointed out that habitat loss has been previously said to be the main driver of species extinction. They believe that agencies under the Trump administration will allow habitat degradation, which is “confusing.”

Democrats also question how to fully implement and implement the ESA, especially after the FWS and NOAA made significant staffing changes amid the federal workforce cuts in the Trump administration and the Department of Efficiency.

They ask for answers to several questions, including which external stakeholders have proposed new rules, agencies must support analysis of the rules, and so on.

“Conserving wildlife should not be a partisan issue, and wildlife and its dependence on humanity bring countless benefits to humanity, including providing stability for our food systems and clean air and water,” the Democrats concluded. “It is important that the government does not ignore Congress’ intentions when passing the bill.”

The internal department said it would not comment on the letters of Congress through the media, but “take all letters from Congress seriously and carefully examine everything.”

A spokesperson told Hill: “If any updates are made on this topic, we will provide more information at the right time.”

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