1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing today to ask you to support S.J. Res 204, which would reject the administration’s latest unprecedented attempt to undermine the ESA and the decades-long legacy of protecting threatened species and their habitat from harm. This legislation would overturn a recently finalized rule that changes the definition of harm under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) – a rule that would allow the destruction of habitat even when it kills or injures endangered wildlife. Habitat loss is one of the leading causes of species extinction and the ESA clearly prohibits it. I urge you to uphold the integrity of this landmark law. Further, a recent memo leaked from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service revealed that the Trump administration is proposing to go even further in redefining “harm” by making the killing of endangered species only illegal if there is intent to kill. This could give industries a license to harm and kill wildlife without accountability, simply by claiming that any harm caused was accidental. Taken together, the Trump administration’s harm rule and this memo represent a dangerous attack on wildlife and wild places. The ESA works. It has saved 99% of listed species from extinction. But now, the fundamental pillars that make the ESA function effectively are at risk of being knocked down one by one. I urge you to support S.J. Res 204, oppose any attempts to weaken the Endangered Species Act, and do all that you can to protect America’s wildlife.