U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) again has stood firm against special interests by voting against H.R. 3824, the "Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act," (TERSA). The legislation would eliminate important requirements in the current Endangered Species Act (ESA) that currently protect the critical habitat of America’s endangered wildlife – an issue of great concern in New Jersey. While the bill was approved in the House of Representatives by a 229-193 vote, it still needs to be approved in the Senate.

    “I will only support an effective Endangered Species Act that is in the best interests of wildlife and their habit, not lobbyists and special interests,” said Smith, who has fought for environmental protections since being elected to Congress. 

    Smith noted that while the ESA expired thirteen years ago, the requirements of the Act remain in force. As funding has increased for the ESA over the last several years, the number of species protected by the Act has also grown. As of March 30, 2005, a total of 1,078 species of animals and 749 species of plants are listed as endangered or threatened. The majority of these – 518 animal species and 746 plant species – occur in the United States and its territories.

    “Weakening the protections and effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act is not in the best interests of the country, and I am hopeful that the Senate will make necessary changes to it,” Smith said. “I will continue to work for a stronger Act that does not reduce protections to plant and animal species that are already in danger.”