House votes to overhaul Endangered Species Act
Associated Press:
WASHINGTON — The House on Thursday passed legislation that could greatly expand private property rights under the environmental law that is credited with helping keep the bald eagle from extinction but also has provoked bitter fighting.
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The bill would require the government to compensate property owners if steps needed to protect species thwarted development plans.
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The changes were pushed through by the chairman of the House Resources Committee, GOP Rep. Richard Pombo. The California rancher contends the current rules unduly burden landowners and lead to costly lawsuits while doing too little to save plants and animals. (Link)
The vote was 229-193. The House rewrite faces an uncertain future in the Senate.
ADDED: Roll call here.