The House on Wednesday abruptly shelved legislation that would overhaul the Endangered Species Act, in an apparent response to Republican opposition to the bill.
Speaker Mike Johnson yanked the ESA Amendments Act, H.R. 1897, from consideration without explanation. But opposition from six Florida Republicans and other GOP members triggered the delay, said people familiar with the discussions granted anonymity to speak candidly.
The legislation has long been a Republican priority to prevent species protections from blocking development of energy and other projects.
Leaders were considering bringing up the bill last week but delayed action. Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), the bill’s main sponsor, told POLITICO’s E&E News back then that his legislation had been delayed by more pressing measures but brushed off a question about opposition from fellow Republicans.
“Our schedule gets shuffled around a lot,” he said, adding, “You got these other issues front and center this week as well.”
His office did not respond Wednesday to a request for comment about the latest developments.
The measure, which passed out of committee in December largely along party lines, would give greater weight to the economic impacts of listing animals and plants as endangered. The bill would also limit environmental group litigation.
Among the apparent opponents is Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R), who on Tuesday posted an image of a Gadsden Flag featuring a sea turtle on social media, with the text: “Don’t tread on my turtles. Protected means protected. #EndangeredSpeciesAct.”
Luna’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Other Republicans who have raised objections include Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar and New York Rep. Andrew Garbarino, according to a person familiar with the discussions.
It’s unclear what changes they want. Their offices did not immediately return a request for comment. Fitzpatrick often sides with Democrats on environmental issues.
California Rep. Jared Huffman, the top Democrat on the Natural Resources panel, celebrated the bill getting derailed. “Republican leadership is badly out of step with the American people. They heard loud and clear this week that Americans will reject any legislation that leads to their wildlife disappearing forever,” Huffman said in a statement.
Ian Stevenson contributed to this report.
