Today 92 members of Congress, led by Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D – Ariz.), 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 following is a statement from Drew Caputo, Earthjustice VP of Litigation for Lands, Wildlife and Oceans:

See national poll results »

“We endorse this strong statement from nearly 100 members of Congress, which 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 members of Congress and the American public by rejecting any spending bill or other legislation that weakens the Endangered Species Act.”

REPORTER RESOURCES

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