WASHINGTON- (Tuesday, June 16, 2015)– The just-completed House Interior appropriations bill includes a number of anti-wildlife riders which attack the Endangered Species Act (ESA), weaken habitat protections and block tighter restrictions on the illegal sale of ivory. Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-4) offered an amendment to strike all anti-environmental riders from the bill, Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-1) offered an amendment to strike all anti-ESA riders, but both amendments were defeated. Rep. Steve Israel (NY– 3) also offered an amendment to eliminate a rider that opposed tighter restrictions on the sale of ivory needed to stem the flow of smuggled ivory into this country.

The following is a statement from Jamie Rappaport Clark:

“The House of Representatives continues to wage its war on wildlife and our natural heritage and this appropriations bill is only the latest shot fired. This bill takes aim at vulnerable species like the gray wolf, northern long-eared bat and greater sage-grouse and blocks the development of tighter restrictions on the sale of ivory.  We are grateful to conservation champions like Rep. McCollum, Rep. Israel and Rep. Pingree who stood up for our natural heritage against tremendous odds and we thank them for their efforts to stop these disastrous riders in their tracks. We look to the president to ensure these needlessly destructive riders are removed.”

 

###

Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.2 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 www.defenders.org and follow us on Twitter @defendersnews.

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

News

green sea turtle
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Trump Administration Calls on “God Squad” to Weaken Endangered Species Act Protections

The Trump administration today announced its intent to convene the Endangered Species Committee — colloquially known as the “God Squad”— on March 31, 2026, to consider an exemption under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for oil and gas-related activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
Washington monument - cherry blossoms
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Unveils 2025 Conservation Report Card for 119th Congress

Defenders of Wildlife today released its 2025 Conservation Report Card for the 119th Congress, measuring members’ commitment to upholding federal laws that protect wildlife conservation during its first session.
Visit the newsroom