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black-footed ferret at the nat'l black-footed ferret conservation center
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Slams SPEED Act as it Speeds Toward Habitat Destruction

Defenders of Wildlife condemns Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) SPEED ACT, H.R. 4776 the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, ahead of Thursday’s expected floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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coyote during sunset
Washington, D.C.

ESA Amendments Act Poses a Historic Threat to America’s Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife remains on high alert as it braces for the House Natural Resources Committee’s full markup of Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) Endangered Species Amendments Act of 2025. More aptly labeled the Extinction Act, the bill seeks to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act, stripping away decades of crucial protections for America’s wildlife and their habitats.
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gray wolf walking with paw raised and looking at camera
Washington, D.C.

House Vote Scheduled on Ending Gray Wolf Protections, Undermining the Endangered Species Act

The House of Representatives is expected this Thursday to vote on ending gray wolf protections, prematurely delisting gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act before

Press Releases

President Trump Proposes Catastrophic Plan to Expand Offshore Drilling

T he Trump administration is proposing a 5-year plan that would expand offshore oil and gas drilling to the Atlantic Coast and Arctic Ocean. President

Trump Administration Rips Away Protection for Migratory Birds

The Trump administration is reportedly reversing the longstanding interpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to exempt industry – including the oil and gas industry

The Fight to Save the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Continues as Congress Approves Oil Drilling

WASHINGTON – By a vote of 51-48, the Senate has passed a tax bill that mandates destructive oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Report Details Threat to Pallid Sturgeon and Other Endangered Animals

Politics is trumping science in many government decisions about endangered plants and wildlife, according to a new report by the Endangered Species Coalition. Despite the

Arctic Refuge Hangs in the Balance of Final Tax Reform Negotiations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Haley McKey, 202-772-0247, hmckey@defenders.org WASHINGTON ­– The House and Senate begin their conference of the final tax reform bill today. Earlier
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244
Communications Director
mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org
Communications Specialist
jpetrequin@defenders.org
(202) 772-0243
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268