Please Vote NO on the “Endangered Species Amendment Act of 2025” (H.R. 1897)

I’m writing to you as a Washington state resident and someone who chose this place as home because I fell in love with its natural beauty and biodiversity. The forests, mountains, and waters here have a kind of wild, sacred energy that I haven’t found anywhere else—and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. That’s why I’m deeply concerned about H.R. 1897, the so-called “Endangered Species Amendment Act of 2025,” and I urge you to oppose it. As you know, Washington is home to a rich tapestry of ecosystems—each providing sanctuary for species found nowhere else. These fragile habitats are constantly under threat from development and industry. Without strong, science-based protections, we risk losing not just individual species, but entire communities of life that make our region extraordinary. This bill proposes sweeping changes that would weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a cornerstone of conservation in the U.S. for over 50 years. By shifting responsibilities to under-resourced state agencies and sidelining scientific input in favor of political and industrial interests, the bill puts short-term profits ahead of long-term stewardship. In effect, it opens the door for powerful groups—many of which have openly supported the bill—to further exploit the land I and so many others hold dear. I understand the importance of economic growth and infrastructure. But once a species is gone, it’s gone forever. Once a landscape is destroyed, it doesn’t come back. The ESA was designed to prevent this kind of permanent loss. Weakening it now, especially as we face accelerating climate change and widespread habitat degradation, would be not only reckless—it would be morally wrong. Please stand with the overwhelming majority of Americans who support strong protections for endangered species. Vote NO on H.R. 1897, and help ensure that future generations inherit not just our cities and highways, but also the wild, irreplaceable beauty that makes this country—and this state—so extraordinary. Thank you for your time and service.