Steven Holt: “On December 28, 1973 the Endangered Species Act was signed into law, meaning we are currently commemorating the 40th…”

“On December 28, 1973 the Endangered Species Act was signed into law, meaning we are currently commemorating the 40th anniversary of one of our nation's strongest and most successful environmental laws: the Endangered Species Act. Passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and signed by President Richard Nixon, the Act was the first comprehensive law to address the global extinction crisis. The Endangered Species Act took a zero-tolerance approach to achieving its goals: no new extinctions, no exceptions. As a result, 99 percent of listed species have been saved from extinction and are on the path to recovery. Some iconic American species, such as the bald eagle, the American alligator, and the Pacific gray whale, have recovered from the brink of extinction and are now thriving in their natural habitats. Beyond the preservation of individual species, the Endangered Species Act helps to keep the strong interdependent web of life. Today, conservation efforts under the Endangered Species Act are a model for preserving biodiversity around the world. Unfortunately, here in the House today we are proceeding with reforms that would undoubtedly weaken provisions of the Act with the belief that doing so will somehow yield greater benefits for the species it was designed to protect. As a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, I've been committed to protecting our nation's strongest and most successful environmental laws.…”