Stauber Introduces Legislation to Overturn the Northern Long-Eared Bat’s Endangered Species Listing

Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution disapproving of the northern long-eared bat’s endangered listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Senate version of the CRA was introduced by Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK).

“The listing of the northern long-eared bat is an example of the ESA being used to stifle development rather than its intended purpose, which is to protect species from human-caused harm,” said Congressman Stauber. “The northern long-eared bat unfortunately suffers from white-nose syndrome through no fault of humans whatsoever. The listing of the bat due to this disease declares open season for environmental groups to target desperately needed development across the bat’s entire range, which covers most of the continental United States. If we're to build infrastructure, permit electricity transmission, mine for resources needed for everyday life, and properly manage our forests, we need commonsense habitat conservation plans that protect wildlife without harming our economy. And we need to overturn this listing.”

“This decision will have serious consequences for ongoing infrastructure projects across the state,” Sen. Mullin said. “There is no reason to disproportionately increase regulatory burden and hinder economic development when this rule will not affect the primary cause of decline for the Northern Long-eared Bat. I am strongly against one-size-fits-all regulation from Washington bureaucrats, and this is no different. We must stop this reclassification and ensure our state and other impacted states can continue efforts to protect this species without the heavy hand of the federal government getting in their way.”

Background

The Congressional Review Act (CRA) was enacted in 1996 and provides Congress with a tool to overturn Administrative regulations. If a CRA joint resolution is approved by both the House and Senate and signed by the President, the rule at issue cannot go into effect or continue in effect.

On November 30, 2022, the Fish and Wildlife Service elected to list the northern long-eared bat. This CRA will disapprove of the listing of the northern long-eared bat.

Full text of the bill can be found here.

###