Should the House approve a resolution that would remove endangered and threatened status for the Lesser Prairie-Chicken?

Environment and Energy
Congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5 of the US Code…pertaining to the Lesser Prairie-Chicken (S.J. Res. 9)
This bill has Passed both chambers of Congress
Bill Summary

This bill would disapprove of a rule set forth by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and remove the threatened status for a population of Lesser Prairie-Chicken, a species of grouse native to states in the Western United States. The resolution would also remove the endangered status for another population of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken. Sponsor: Sen. Roger Marshall (Republican, Kansas)
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Opponents say

•    "The Administration strongly opposes passage of S.J. Res. 9, a joint resolution to disapprove of a final rule that protects the lesser prairie-chicken from extinction. By overturning a science-based rulemaking that follows the requirements of the law, S.J. Res. 9 undermines the Endangered Species Act (ESA)." Source: The White House


•    "Lesser prairie-chickens are icons of the West but they could go extinct if they lose their Endangered Species Act protections. I’m not surprised that these states are prioritizing oil and gas profits over these imperiled birds, but we’re not going to stand by and watch it happen." Source: Jason Rylander, legal director of the Climate Law Institute at the Center for Biological Diversity


•    "The lesser prairie-chicken’s decline is a sign our native grasslands and prairies are in peril. These habitats support a diversity of wildlife and are valued for water quality, climate resilience, grazing, hunting and recreation. The Service continues to work with stakeholders to develop voluntary conservation agreements that will protect the lesser prairie-chicken and the native grasslands on which it depends while assuring that oil and gas and renewable energy development, ranching, agriculture and other activities continue." Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Amy Lueders, Southwest Regional Director


•    "The lesser prairie-chicken is a Texas bird that needs protection or it faces extinction. We are joining the fight to save all the species that call Texas home." Source: Robin Schneider, Executive Director of Texas Campaign for the Environment

Proponents say

•    "The Environmental [sic; Endangered] Species Act has become something that this White House has used to be weaponized against farmers and ranchers. And again, your listeners understand, when a species is listed it makes it harder to farm and ranch, it makes it harder for the oil and gas industry, it makes it harder to get all that wind energy out of Kansas as well. So, we’re trying to slow them down." Source: Sen. Roger Marshall (Republican, Kansas)


•    "With each dollar produced by an agricultural community multiplying through downstream channels into trillions in economic value, even small regulatory hurdles that harm farmers and ranchers can have a large impact well beyond rural America. The lesser prairie-chicken ESA listing further stresses already fragile drought-stricken rural economies while alienating producers who have worked diligently and voluntarily on wildlife conservation projects." Source: Farm Bureau 


 •    "KNRC is proud to take a stand in defense of our member counties and their constituents. This rule heavily regulates numerous essential public services, will regulate virtually anything many landowners might wish to do on their property and will have significant negative impact on individual livelihoods. The rule should be struck down." Source: Commissioner Gary Hayzlett, Kansas Natural Resources Coalition, President

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