Defense Bill Heads to Senate Burdened with Anti-Wildlife Riders

The House of Representatives has passed a National Defense Authorization Act full of harmful anti-environmental riders that threaten the laws that protect endangered wildlife, marine mammals and public lands. It also directly attacks protections for the greater sage-grouse, American burying beetle and lesser prairie-chicken. The House majority also refused to allow a vote that would have stripped some of these damaging provisions. More than 40 organizations sent letters to the House and Senate opposing these extraneous provisions.

Statement from Former Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark:

“The anti-wildlife riders in the National Defense Authorization Act have nothing to do with national defense and everything to do with undermining our bedrock environmental conservation laws and protections for wildlife and public lands. This is a highly controversial sneak attack on critically imperiled species, including sage-grouse, American burying beetle and lesser prairie-chicken.

“These riders have been jammed into this bill to serve political agendas, nothing more. We call on the Senate to toss them out and end this attempt to hijack must-pass defense authorization for nefarious ends. Allowing these riders to remain in the bill is a written invitation for more controversial provisions to weigh down the defense bill in the future.”

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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With over 1.8 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit Newsroom.Defenders.org and follow us on Twitter @DefendersNews.