Welcome to Tuesday, August 13th, hunters and gatherers...

The Trump administration on Monday finalized sweeping changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that will reduce protections for endangered animals and plants and make it easier to remove species from the endangered list.

The changes would also allow authorities to ignore the effects of climate change when deciding whether a species warrants protection. The rollback would also give industry more leeway to develop in areas where threatened animals live.

“The revisions finalized with this rulemaking fit squarely within the president’s mandate of easing the regulatory burden on the American public, without sacrificing our species’ protection and recovery goals," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.

Environemntalists did not share Ross' enthusiasm.

“Today, the Trump administration issued regulations that take a wrecking ball to one of our oldest and most effective environmental laws, the Endangered Species Act,” said Tom Udall (D-NM). “As we have seen time and time again, no environmental protection — no matter how effective or popular — is safe from this administration.”

Do you support rolling back protections for endangered species?

On the Radar

Denying Green Cards for Immigrants on Food Stamps

The Trump administration has proposed a rule that would make it easier to deny green cards and visas to immigrants who are likely to use public benefit programs, like food stamps, housing assistance, and Medicaid.

The rule change will encourage "self-reliance and self-sufficiency for those seeking to come to or stay in the United States," said acting U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ken Cuccinelli,

"The rule reflects a dark vision of the United States - as an unwelcoming nation that wants to keep out people who seek to join their family, work hard, and climb the economic ladder - based on the erroneous assumption that they won't contribute to our communities, our economy, and our nation," said Robert Greenstein, president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Should the U.S. deny green cards to immigrants on welfare programs?

Most Active Shootings Involve Handguns

With a recent poll indicating widespread support among Democrats for a ban on “assault weapons” and Democratic presidential candidates advocating for a national gun buyback program, we decided to take a look at recent trends in active shooting incidents using federal data and graphics compiled by USAFacts.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines an active shooter as “an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated space."

Each year since 2000, handguns have been the most frequently used type of firearm in active shooting incidents, exceeding rifles & shotguns. The gap between handguns and rifles reached its narrowest point in recent years in 2016, when handguns were used in 16 active shootings and rifles in 13 shootings. Most recently, 2018 saw handguns used in 24 active shootings versus six rifles used in active shooting incidents.

Do you think handguns should be banned?

Under the Radar

2019 Bill Acronym Bracket - Round One

In honor of Congress' August recess and politicians’ penchant for pithy bill acronyms, we’ve put together another tournament in which you — Countable users — will choose the best bill acronym of the 116th Congress.

Countable’s selection committee has chosen 16 of the most creatively, and in some cases spitefully, titled pieces of legislation this Congress has introduced. The winner of this round will face off in next week’s quarterfinals, and you’ll be able to vote for your favorite through Thursday. May the best bill acronym win!

Will it be the PUPPERS Act? CREATES Act? FAST NICS? Or maybe the Stop STALLING Act? Vote here!

How do you feel about Congress's bill acronyms?

What You're Saying

Here's how you're answering Should the U.S. Limit Imports of Sport-Hunting Trophies From African Lions & Other Potentially Endangered Species?