Senate Democrats grouse over passage of sage-grouse rider

Not all Westerners were relieved to see the sage-grouse rider make it into the final $1.1 trillion federal spending bill. Sen. Michael Bennet, Colorado Democrat, said Monday he was “disappointed” over the passage of the rider, which blocks the Fish and Wildlife Service from listing two types of sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act until September, saying the provision creates “uncertainty.” “We’re disappointed the bill included several policy riders on matters unrelated to appropriations, particularly those affecting the Greater and Gunnison sage-grouse,” said Mr. Bennet, who voted in favor of the spending bill, in a statement...more