House Panel Votes Down Attempt to Strike Sage Grouse Language

On Wednesday, the House Armed Services Committee voted against striking a provision from the FY2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would deny the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) from a potential listing of the sage grouse for the next ten years.  In a 26-36 vote, Committee Republicans were able to vote in defense of the language.  The potential listing of the sage grouse continues to be one of the most contentious endangered species listings in recent years.  The USFWS recently announced their decision not to list the California/Nevada distinct population of the species as endangered, but a general listing of the species may still have impacts within the state.