Proposed changes could weaken science-based protections for threatened and endangered species
WASHINGTON (Oct. 1, 2026)—Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund, raised concerns today about provisions affecting the Endangered Species Act in the newly released Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, a sweeping Senate permitting package intended to accelerate energy and infrastructure projects.
While Humane World Action Fund is continuing to review the more than 400-page proposal, provisions identified in an initial review would rewrite the standard for the “best scientific and commercial data available” used in Endangered Species Act decisions, shorten timelines for consultations over projects that could affect protected species, alter the role of states in those consultations and change requirements governing judicial review.
Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund, said:
“The scientific integrity of Endangered Species Act decision-making is at the heart of the law’s success in preventing the extinction of listed species. This proposed rewrite of the ‘best available science’ standard could give agencies new grounds to unfairly dismiss credible research, including science showing that stronger protections are needed for species at risk. Decisions about whether wildlife needs protection should follow the evidence, not create new opportunities to exclude it.
“From rescinding the definition of ‘harm,’ to narrowing the interpretation of ‘take,’ and now proposing to rewrite ‘best available science,’ we are seeing fundamental terms underpinning the Endangered Species Act being reconsidered one after another by those who hold power in Washington. Congress should not use a permitting package to weaken the scientific foundation of one of America’s most important wildlife protection laws.”
Media Contact: Liz Bartolomeo, ebartolomeo@humaneaction.org, 240-472-0475
