On April 22, the U.S. House of Representatives canceled a scheduled floor vote on the ESA Amendments Act (H.R. 1897), after adopting a closed rule to provide for the bill’s consideration. The closed rule would have prevented changes to the bill on the floor. The measure, sponsored by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR), would make broad changes to the Endangered Species Act, including the creation of a tiered priority system for listing species; the elimination of blanket protections for threatened species; the expansion of exemptions to Section 7 consultation requirements; and judicial review of delisting decisions would be restricted for five years after issuance.
Specifically, H.R. 1897 would limit critical habitat designations on privately owned land under qualifying conservation plans; allow states to develop alternative species recovery strategies; and expand eligibility for ESA exemptions to include state and permit applicants citing economic or national security impacts. The measure also would cap attorney fee awards in ESA litigation and authorize funding for ESA programs through FY2031.
The House Natural Resources Committee approved the bill 25-16 in December 2025. If the measure returns to the floor, it would require a simple majority for passage.
For additional information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Staci Heaton.