WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a hearing concerning U.S. Representative Tracey Mann’s joint resolution of disapproval to strike down the Biden Administration’s recent listing of the lesser prairie-chicken (LPC) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In February, Rep. Mann led 9 of his colleagues in reintroducing the CRA. Rep. Mann first introduced the legislation in the 117th Congress. If the CRA resolution is enacted, the measure would prevent the listing from having any force or effect.

 

“I refuse to sit idly by while the United States Fish and Wildlife Service imposes burdensome regulations on producers with no input from Congress,” said Rep. Mann. “The designation of the lesser prairie-chicken as a threatened species in places like Kansas is unacceptable. This resolution calls for an absolute refusal of this rule, which should have no force or effect until Congress is consulted. At a time when inflation is at a 40-year high and families are struggling to fuel their cars while keeping food on their tables, we should be working to eliminate barriers for the agriculture and energy sectors, not hamstring hardworking Americans with government overreach. Since this rule threatens the livelihoods of the men and women who feed, fuel, and clothe us all, I hope that all my colleagues in Congress will join me in refusing to accept it.”

 

Background:

 

On December 22, 2022, in the 117th Congress, Rep. Mann introduced the bicameral joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to strike down the listing of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken.

 

On January 12, 2023, Rep. Mann led a group of their colleagues in requesting a delay of the final rule that would list the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act. Following this letter, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service moved the effective date from January 24 to April 1, 2023.

 

On February 8, 2023, Rep. Mann led a group of their colleagues in reintroducing their joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to strike down the listing.