The Audubon Advisory
Audubon’s Twice-Monthly Legislative Update
December 7, 2005; (Vol 2005 Issue 22)
Audubon TAKE ACTION Website
IN THIS ISSUE:
CONGRESS WINDS DOWN BUT STILL MUCH AT RISK
Extinction Bill Still a Danger in the Senate
As you will recall, on September 29, the House passed a bill sponsored by Congressman Richard Pombo (R-CA11) that would significantly weaken the Endangered Species Act, one of America's strongest and most successful laws for protecting biodiversity and saving our most vulnerable birds and wildlife.
The bill, named the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act by Congressman Pombo but more aptly called the 'Extinction Bill,' would eliminate the Endangered Species Act’s protections for bird and wildlife habitat, undermine sound scientific decision-making, and bankrupt the Act by allowing huge payments of taxpayer dollars to landowners for doing nothing more than complying with the law.
Rumors abound that a Senate bill along these same lines will be introduced the week of December 12 when the Senate returns from their Thanksgiving break. If a bad bill is introduced in December, we must act decisively to make sure that senators do not support a weakening of our most valuable protections for our most vulnerable birds and wildlife!
Rumors Fly on Arctic Language in the Budget Bill
In closed door meetings, back rooms and hallways, galas of the holiday season and quiet meetings, the House and Senate leadership is buttonholing colleagues, cutting deals and smoothing the way for passage of the Budget Reconcilation bill.
Taking nothing for granted with the stakes so high for the Refuge, we are working on a last (we hope) alert this year (we think) to again remind House and Senate members that any bill that contains Arctic drilling language must not pass.
It's critical to keep the pressure on, to keep the buzz going and to head into the holidays with the Arctic Refuge safe. Please be alert for an Arctic Alert!
Audubon Advisory
Audubon Public Policy Division
1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
audubonaction@audubon.org
800-659-2622
Visit the TAKE ACTION website to help.