Press Releases

Today, the House Natural Resources Committee passed H.R. 6346, the Weigh Habitats Offsetting Locational Effects Act of 2018 (WHOLE Act), to ease the difficulties farmers and ranchers face when bearing the brunt of undue burdens placed on agriculture. The WHOLE Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Johnson (LA-04), modernizes the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by requiring the appropriate agency to consider the totality of conservation measures already in place when determining whether a potential federal action will jeopardize species or habitat loss. ​

Rep. Johnson released the following statement:

“Maintaining protections for endangered species and ensuring our farmers and ranchers have the resources they need to provide a safe and sustainable food source for the American people are not mutually exclusive. My bill modernizes the decades-old ESA by removing unnecessary burdens on the agriculture community, while continuing to protect wildlife and their habitats. I am grateful to the committee for recognizing the importance of updating this antiquated law and for moving the WHOLE Act forward.”

House Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) released the following statement:

“It’s no secret that the ESA is in desperate need of modernization, and Rep. Johnson’s bill provides a starting point to reducing red tape. America’s farmers and ranchers should not suffer the burden of unnecessary regulations. I applaud my colleague for his work on this issue.”