Public Lands Council leaders are watching closely what happens with the WRDA conference report and if it comes up in the Senate this week. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants to bring it up for debate while Senator Barbara Boxer of California is planning to block it because it would roll back the endangered species act. PLC Executive Director Ethan Lane says there is good ESA language contained in both the WRDA bill and a Senate energy bill under consideration.
He says besides Boxer’s plan to block WRDA in the Senate, the entire legislation is on hold due to an energy bill.
Lane says they’re monitoring closely what happens as anything can surface during the lame duck Congress when lawmakers are trying to get things passed quickly and adjourned for the year.
Lane says his group is in favor of reforming the endangered species act and also favors the WRDA legislation.
