John –

Republican lawmakers and industry groups have fought environmental protections for decades for the sake of short-term profits. Now, the President is paving the way for them eagerly.

Most recently, the Trump administration proposed weakening the Endangered Species Act under the shallow guise of improving the law's "efficiency." Regardless of motives, the impact of the changes is clear — they will disarm the strongest environmental protection law our nation has ever put in place.

The ESA has consistently saved species from the brink of extinction and preserved fragile habitats since it was passed more than 40 years ago, and an overwhelming majority of Americans still support it. After all, it is not hard to see how depleted forests and toxic waters will harm all of us.

That's why I did not hesitate to join 16 other states filing suit against the Trump administration for blatantly undercutting this bedrock legislation. Oregon's pristine environment has always been vital to our economy, well-being, and way of life. As Oregon's Attorney General, I will fight even harder to stop the growing threats against it.

Projections about the future health of our planet have never been bleaker, and yet, some of our nation's highest leaders seem committed to continue chipping away at the few legal protections we still have.

Thank you for helping us make sure it ends here.