Apparently not Congress. So far this year, over 80 proposals have been made to reduce the protections for endangered species as guaranteed by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) since 1973. None of them have passed, but they have all been justified for reasons that are common: the act kills jobs, is a federal overreach, and in general has huge economic consequences. Thankfully, the American people disagree.
A new poll has found that 90 percent of Americans support the Endangered Species Act. Four other polls found a similar level of support on the state level: 80 percent in Colorado, 74 percent in Missouri, 75 percent in Montana, and 83 percent in Indiana. Clearly, if politicians want votes attacking the Endangered Species Act isn't the way of doing it. So why is Congress so hellbent on reducing the Act's protections?
We can just look to Colorado's recent battle over an endangered species: the Gunnison Sage Grouse. The Grouse's habitat is threatened by expansion of the oil industry in the state and the bird was recently classified as a threatened species. In response, the oil industry campaigned heavily against the classification and any increased protections; they argued that the Grouse's protections would kill jobs and industry. Luckily, the Coloradan people neatly rejected them, a poll soon after the classification found 78% disagreed the ESA harmed the economy and instead felt it to be a necessary law. Despite this, the state's politicians were still divided over the issue. Sadly, the exact same situation still exists on a national level.
A new poll has found that 90 percent of Americans support the Endangered Species Act. Four other polls found a similar level of support on the state level: 80 percent in Colorado, 74 percent in Missouri, 75 percent in Montana, and 83 percent in Indiana. Clearly, if politicians want votes attacking the Endangered Species Act isn't the way of doing it. So why is Congress so hellbent on reducing the Act's protections?
We can just look to Colorado's recent battle over an endangered species: the Gunnison Sage Grouse. The Grouse's habitat is threatened by expansion of the oil industry in the state and the bird was recently classified as a threatened species. In response, the oil industry campaigned heavily against the classification and any increased protections; they argued that the Grouse's protections would kill jobs and industry. Luckily, the Coloradan people neatly rejected them, a poll soon after the classification found 78% disagreed the ESA harmed the economy and instead felt it to be a necessary law. Despite this, the state's politicians were still divided over the issue. Sadly, the exact same situation still exists on a national level.