Rep. Westerman Introduces Bill to Overhaul the Endangered Species Act and Streamline Protections
Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries employees would face significant new procedural requirements including developing the 5-year National Listing Work Plan, processing Candidate Conservation Agreements within strict 120-day deadlines, publishing all scientific data online, and preparing new economic impact analyses for every listing determination. This substantially changes their day-to-day work while also potentially limiting their professional judgment through narrower statutory definitions.
“the Secretary shall submit to Congress a national listing work plan that establishes, for each covered species, a schedule for the completion during the 5-fiscal year period”
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1189 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 489.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-568.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 16.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
The House Natural Resources Committee is moving forward with H.R. 1897, the 'ESA Amendments Act of 2025,' sponsored by Chair Bruce Westerman. The bill aims to update the 50-year-old law to address GOP concerns that it is used to block mining and drilling, while Democrats criticize it as an effort to weaken protections.
House Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman is leading the 'ESA Amendments Act of 2025,' the most significant swing at the 1973 law in decades. The bill would require economic impact analyses for listing decisions and raise the bar for 'jeopardy' findings in federal consultations.
Rep. Bruce Westerman introduced the ESA Amendments Act of 2025 to reform a law he claims has been 'weaponized' by litigation. The bill proposes streamlining the listing process, capping attorney fees, and providing incentives for private landowners to cooperate in conservation efforts.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
ESA Amendments Act of 2025
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