GOP endangered species bill pulled after nationwide backlash

A Republican-led bill that would change how the U.S. protects endangered animals was pulled from the House floor schedule this week after a surge of public opposition, a top Democratic lawmaker said Tuesday.

Rep. Jared Huffman of California said people across the country contacted Congress to oppose the measure, known as the ESA Amendments Act (H.R. 1897). The bill would update the Endangered Species Act, a 1973 law that helps keep animals and plants from going extinct, or disappearing forever. The legislation was led by Rep. Bruce Westerman, an Arkansas Republican who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee.