Rosalind Evans
The Senate recently reversed two wildlife policies introduced by the Biden administration, which modified the rules set during Trump’s tenure. The regulations in question relate to the definition of habitat and the reclassification process of wildlife species.
Before reaching President Joe Biden for approval, the resolutions must gain endorsement from the House. However, Biden has already expressed his intention to veto both measures. An override of the veto would necessitate a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate, a circumstance considered unlikely. Nevertheless, the Senate’s approval of these resolutions is bipartisan criticism of the president’s actions.
Under the Congressional Review Act, the measures only required a bare majority to be ratified in the Senate.
Sen. Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat, sided with Republican Senators in voting for both resolutions. Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine, aligned with the Republicans on the issue of habitat definition, while Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, voted in favour of the wildlife species reclassification measure, also siding with Republicans.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, an 89-year-old Democrat who recently resumed her Senate duties after a lengthy absence due to shingles, voted alongside her fellow Democrats in opposition to both resolutions.
The bipartisan nature of the Senate’s decision underscores the intricate complexities surrounding wildlife management and conservation rules. Republicans and Democrats recognize the need for reasonable policies that balance environmental protection with economic and societal interests.
The existing rules, modified by the Biden administration, had been inherited from the previous Trump administration. The Senate’s decision to revert to the Trump-era rules signals a rebuke to the current administration and the specific changes made.
The House, where the resolutions will now be sent, is expected to have a heated debate. Despite President Biden’s veto threat, the Senate’s bipartisan support may influence some House members’ decisions.
Sen. Joe Manchin’s alignment with his Republican colleagues is unsurprising, given his moderate stance and history of crossing party lines. Similarly, independent Sen. Angus King and Democrat Sen. Amy Klobuchar voting with Republicans suggest that wildlife conservation issues transcend party politics.
Meanwhile, despite her recent health challenges, Sen. Dianne Feinstein returned to the Senate to vote in opposition to both resolutions, displaying her commitment to the Democratic party’s stance.
The reversal of wildlife rules brings the pressing issues of environmental protection and species conservation to national discourse. The upcoming decisions in the House and the potential presidential veto will further shape the trajectory of these critical matters.
