Today 25 senators, led by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA), sent a letter to President Barack Obama expressing concern over the record number of anti-Endangered Species Act provisions in House and Senate appropriations bills to fund the Interior Department and other federal agencies for the upcoming fiscal year (2016). The letter calls on the president to ensure that all these damaging attacks on the Endangered Species Act—which would block federal protections for gray wolves, greater sage grouse, lesser prairie chicken, and numerous other species—are removed from final legislation to fund the federal government.

The Senate letter comes just six weeks after 92 House members sent a similar letter to the president urging him to veto any legislative attempts at weakening the Endangered Species Act.

The following is a statement from Drew Caputo, Earthjustice VP of Litigation for Lands, Wildlife and Oceans:

“This statement from 25 senators reflects the resolve of the vast majority of American voters who support the Endangered Species Act. In a time of partisan strife, fully 90 percent of voters have found common cause in protections for imperiled species and preservation of our natural heritage. We urge President Obama to heed the call of these senators and the American public by rejecting any spending bill or other legislation that weakens the Endangered Species Act.”

REPORTER RESOURCES:

• National Poll on Endangered Species Act
• Special Feature: “Political Animals: How Congress is Trying to Destroy the Endangered Species Act”