Marking a win for wildlife and conservation, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee approved a package of reforms to the Endangered Species Act, clearing the way for a potential vote by the entire U.S. House of Representatives.

The ESA Amendments Act of 2025 (H.R. 1897) makes reforms to the Endangered Species Act by streamlining the listing process, clarifying statutory definitions and focusing on recovery. It also provides incentives for the recovery of listed species, promotes accountability for agency actions, expands cooperation with local governments and creates a backstop against frivolous litigation by placing a cap on attorney’s fees.

“Five decades after the ESA’s passage, only three percent of listed species have ever recovered. Special-interest lawsuits and arbitrary rules have weaponized the law against both wildlife and the communities it’s supposed to help,” said Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR). “H.R. 1897 restores science, conservation and sustainable economic development to America’s endangered species policy and returns the ESA to its original, bipartisan purpose as a tool for species recovery.”

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation supports this legislation.

“Five decades of case law informed by radical environmental activists has transformed the Endangered Species Act into a purgatory for wildlife. As sportsmen and women, RMEF takes seriously our commitment to wildlife conservation and believes we can and should do better,” said RMEF President and CEO Kyle Weaver. “This measure represents a positive step towards returning the ESA to its original mission, ensuring already limited resources go towards species recovery, not fighting endless court battles. RMEF thanks Chairman Westerman for his leadership on this bill.”

RMEF testified before the committee in 2024 on similar legislation, focusing on incremental recovery targets for threatened species and increased state authority in meeting those targets. These reforms are consistent with RMEF’s efforts to repeal the “blanket rule,” which implements one-size-fits-all restrictions for threatened species and requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish individual plans to move threatened species to recovered status.

(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)