GOP makes plans to invalidate Endangered Species Act
With the ascension of President-elect Donald Trump, Republicans see an opportunity to roll back the Endangered Species Act, which has become one of the government's most powerful conservation tools. The GOP contends the act has been used by wildlife advocates to block economic development and to hinder drilling, logging and other activities. Over the past eight years, Republican lawmakers have sponsored dozens of measures aimed at curtailing the landmark law. Almost all were blocked by Democrats and the White House or lawsuits from environmentalists.
The 1973 act was ushered though Congress nearly unanimously, in part to stave off extinction of the national symbol, the bald eagle. Reforms proposed by Republicans include placing limits on lawsuits that have been used to maintain protections for some species and to force a decision on others. Republicans also want to adopt a cap on how many species can be protected and to give states a greater say in the process.
https://www.yahoo.com/digest/20170117/gop-makes-plans-invalidate-endangered-species-act-00837573