05.10.23

Senate Republicans Target Runaway Wildlife Regulations

‘Tomorrow, Senate Republicans will create two more opportunities to hit the brakes on runaway regulation. Thanks to the efforts of the junior Senator for Wyoming and the junior Senator for Oklahoma, we’ll consider two more resolutions under the Congressional Review Act.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding overregulation:

“Tomorrow, Senate Republicans will create two more opportunities to hit the brakes on runaway regulation.

“Thanks to the efforts of the junior Senator for Wyoming and the junior Senator for Oklahoma, we’ll consider two more resolutions under the Congressional Review Act.

“Senator Mullin’s resolution targets a decision by the Fish and Wildlife Service to ‘up-list’ a creature called the Northern Long-Eared Bat as an endangered species.

“This designation would have massive repercussions for landowners, businesses, and infrastructure projects across as many as 37 of our 50 states. More than 3,000 infrastructure and development projects are currently in limbo, waiting for the extra environmental consultations that the Endangered Species Act will require if this case of ‘up-listing’ is allowed to stand. And get this: the Biden Administration itself admits that recent declines in the population of this bat are due mostly to a fungal disease, not human development.

“I don’t care how long this bat’s ears are; it can’t get veto power over 37 state economies.

“Senator Mullin’s resolution will prevent this absurdity.

“The second resolution, sponsored by Senator Lummis, targets a Biden Administration attempt to make a sweeping change to the very definition of the word ‘habitat’ in federal law.

“The last Republican Administration adopted a clear and explicit legal definition that gave builders, landowners, and small businesses some certainty and peace of mind. But President Biden has let the far left throw all that into chaos. 

“Now American families and businesses could be facing decreased property values and predatory legal challenges if they wind up on the wrong side of Democrats’ moving goalposts. Senator Lummis’s resolution will reintroduce certainty and common sense.

“I urge every Senator to support both measures later this week.”

###