McEachin Led Oversight and Investigations Hearing on ESA

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) served in his capacity as the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee for the hearing entitled “ESA Consultation Impediments to Economic and Infrastructure Development.”

“For an Administration that claims they want to put ‘America First,’ they are willing to endanger, if not extinguish, some of our most exceptional and unique species among them, the bald eagle, Florida panther, and the gray wolf, all of whom are success stories because of the ESA,” said Ranking Member Donald McEachin. “When we fail to adequately protect endangered species, we are throwing away something priceless and irreplaceable. We are throwing away opportunities to better understand our world while destroying our children's heritage.”

Congressman McEachin said during his opening remarks, “Economic development – including the construction and maintenance of infrastructure – should be compatible with the conservation of wildlife, fish, plants, and biological diversity in general. The ESA ensures that it is. Tired, refuted talking points claiming that complying with the act kills jobs and unnecessarily impedes economic growth are simply not grounded in reality.”

The Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee on the House Committee on Natural Resources has jurisdiction over all agencies and programs overseen by the Full Committee. Congressional oversight and investigations began in the late 1700s and continues today by conducting investigations and serving as an essential part of the legislative process.

Click here for photos from the hearing.

###

Contact: Jamitress Bowden
(202-225-6365