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The Endangered Species Act is a safety net for our wildlife, fish and plants on the brink of extinction. Tragically, the Bush Administration undermined the law's protections. Now, it is time to restore our nation's commitment to protecting imperiled species.
First Steps
In 2009, Congress led the way for beginning to restore much needed protections under the Endangered Species Act. They provided 60 days for the Obama Administration to review two last-minute efforts by the Bush Administration to limit endangered species protections. (additional information here)
Examples of Interference During the Bush Administration
The Endangered Species Act requires the use of the most rigorous science available when developing common sense solutions to prevent the extinction of our fish, plants and wildlife. Interference by political appointees in the Bush Administration prevented scientists from doing their jobs to protect endangered species.
For examples of interference and other problems please see these fact sheets:
 Bush Administration's Endangered Species Track Record (Jan. 2008)
Reinstating needed protections (Jan. 2008)
Restoring scientific integrity and ethics at the Department of Interior (Jan. 2008)
The Bush Administration went out of its way to ensure the polar bear received no added protection from its being listed as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. Learn more with this fact sheet:
The Deception of Polar Bear "Protection" (May 2008)
To learn about political interference by Julie MacDonald (former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior), Mark Rey (former timber lobbyist and Undersecretary of Agriculture), and other political appointees in scientific decisions for endangered species see our fact sheets below:
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