WASHINGTON— Today, the House Committee on Appropriations voted to advance the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which includes language prohibiting the listing of the greater sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson – Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee – authored the language that reins in ESA listing overreach. Simpson has long championed the effort that prohibits funds from being used to enact federal listing of the greater sage-grouse, thereby empowering state and local species managers to continue protecting sage-grouse populations in communities across the West. 

“I’ve worked long and hard to prohibit federal government overreach when it comes to saving habitat," said Rep. Simpson. “An Endangered Species Act listing is nowhere near the most effective way to protect and restore endangered species." 

“I have always believed state and local species management will better protect sage-grouse populations. Sage-grouse conservation remains a priority for Idaho and other western states, and I will keep fighting for local conservation efforts.”  

This bill also strengthens the limitation on listing sage-grouse to include the bi-state population, found in California and Nevada. This language is a part of the Fiscal Year 2024 funding package for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Related Agencies.  

This funding package will now go to the full floor of the House of Representatives for a vote.