To the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly supports H.R. 1897, Chairman Bruce Westerman’s ESA Amendments Act of 2025 to provide much needed reform to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Chamber supports the ESA’s goal of protecting species threatened with extinction and the habitat those species depend on, but we believe achieving lasting conservation success requires a framework that is predictable, transparent, and consistently applied.
Our nation’s important conservation objectives can and must be met without unnecessarily deterring development of vital infrastructure and energy projects or slowing essential economic activity. Inconsistent and changing ESA requirements can create significant delays and cost increases for such projects intended to strengthen national security, bolster our economy, and enhance our competitiveness. It is therefore imperative that we allow the ESA to provide regulatory certainty that can drive responsible investment and facilitate long-term planning. H.R. 1897 would help restore balance and advance environmental stewardship while providing the clarity and certainty needed for all stakeholders. A more predictable ESA process would also help Federal agencies use limited resources more effectively and focus efforts where they can deliver the greatest conservation benefit.
We appreciate Chairman Westerman’s leadership on reforms that promote both conservation outcomes and a permitting and regulatory environment that supports innovation, investment, and responsible development. We urge the House to support H.R. 1897.
Sincerely,
Marty Durbin
President, Global Energy Institute
Senior Vice President, Policy
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
