Kay Bailey Hutchison: “I thank the Chair. The amendment rescinds $1.5 million in funds for new listings of endangered or threatened species or…”

“I thank the Chair. The amendment rescinds $1.5 million in funds for new listings of endangered or threatened species or designation of critical habitat through the end of the fiscal year, which is a little more than 6 months from now. It provides that remaining funds may not be used for final listings of endangered or threatened species or final designation of critical habitat. The amendment does permit downlistings, changing a species from endangered status to threatened status. In H.R. 4350, the House regulatory moratorium bill, the House passed a moratorium on new listings or designations until the earlier reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act or December 31, 1996. Rescinding funds for a more limited time period will provide a time out from new listings controversies and will provide the momentum necessary for reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act. Mr. President, as many of us in this body know, we have a critical situation with the Endangered Species Act implementation. I do not think one Member of this body does not support the concept of protecting endangered species. What has happened is, I think, the regulators have really gone far beyond congressional intent, and we have found ourselves in many States across our country having endangered species declarations for baitfish.”