Andy Biggs: “let me reiterate: Activist groups exploit the ESA through relentless litigation and red tape, curtailing and preventing…”

“let me reiterate: Activist groups exploit the ESA through relentless litigation and red tape, curtailing and preventing full training and preparation by our military. This amendment is nonnegotiable. It draws a clear line: Military and National Guard lands cannot be arbitrarily designated as critical habitat if the Department of War deems them essential for national defense. I want to take the same argument that was used on the last bill when Mr. Cisneros of California said, good grief, our adversaries don't care about this question of censorship. I am telling you, Madam Chair, our adversaries don't care about this question of the environment and the ESA. It exempts our personnel from ESA prohibitions during defense-related operations. That is what is happening, even if incidental harm occurs, because in the heat of preparation for real-world threats, we cannot afford to pause for paperwork. The ESA was not meant to become a tool for endless lawsuits, environmental extremism, or regulatory overreach that jeopardizes our ability to deter adversaries. Madam Chair, now is the moment for bold action and clarity. National defense must eclipse this misguided focus on the ESA. The ESA has only delisted 2 percent of the hundreds and thousands of species that it has listed. We cannot handcuff America's military. Our enemies are not waiting for environmental impact studies. They are advancing relentlessly.”