Bill seeks to remove federal protection for endangered species

The Endangered Species Management Self-Determination Act, currently in committee in the Senate, seeks to leave protection of endangered species up to the Governors of each state and automatically remove protections for animals after five years. The bill, sponsored by Kentucky Republican Rand Paul, would require the federal government to gain the approval from state governments before enacting the protections spelled out in the original Endangered Species Act of 1973. Paul believes the bill would expedite job creation and infrastructure projects. The Senate bill is known as S. 1731. In addition to the requirement that species be removed from the list of protected animals after five years unless congress enacts a joint resolution, there is also a clause granting governors immunity from judicial review of their actions...more