Congressman Biggs Introduces Bill to Enhance Military Readiness

On Thursday, Congressman Andy Biggs introduced H.R. 7197 Armed Forces Endangered Species Exemption Act. For decades, environmentalists have forced the military to alter day-to-day operations to fit their radical agenda. These actions cost the military time, resources, and delay mission readiness. The need for this change was brought to the congressman’s attention in a briefing with national security experts.

This bill ends the Endangered Species Act’s application in areas used for national defense-related operations and prohibits the Secretary of Interior from designating areas necessary for military operations as critical habitat. These changes will allow the Department of Defense to carry out its mission without being hamstrung by bureaucratic red tape.

“With rising threats abroad, Congress must ensure that our military remains strong and skilled. This can only happen if our military is able to test and train without interference from environmentalists,”  said Congressman Andy Biggs.  “My bill ensures that the Department of Defense is able to conduct the training necessary to keep the men and women of our armed forces prepared.”

The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) and Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-04). 

The bill text may be found here.