The bill
Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2025
HR. 180, 119th Congress — read as touching Oil & Gas.
Sponsored by
Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-5]
ID: M001177
Follow the money
The bill
HR. 180, 119th Congress — read as touching Oil & Gas.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
30 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Subcommittee Hearings Held
July 21, 2025
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce and expose the underlying disease.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2025 (HR 180) claims to promote transparency and accountability in the listing process under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). But, as with most congressional bills, the real purpose is to serve special interests while masquerading as a champion of good governance.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to publish online the scientific and commercial data used in listing decisions. Sounds reasonable? Think again. This provision is designed to create a bureaucratic hurdle, allowing states and other stakeholders to delay or block listings by claiming that certain information is proprietary or sensitive.
Other provisions include:
* Allowing states to opt-out of disclosing certain information if it's prohibited by state law (read: giving states an excuse to hide data) * Requiring the Secretary to execute an agreement with the Secretary of Defense to prevent disclosure of classified information (because, you know, national security trumps environmental protection) * Mandating that the Secretary disclose expenditures related to ESA lawsuits (a clever way to intimidate and silence environmental groups)
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects:
* Environmental organizations: Will face increased scrutiny and bureaucratic hurdles when trying to list species * States: Will gain more control over the listing process, allowing them to prioritize economic interests over conservation * Industry groups: Will benefit from reduced regulatory oversight and increased access to sensitive information * The Department of Defense: Gets a free pass on disclosing classified information related to environmental protection
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a Trojan horse for special interests. By creating unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, it will:
* Delay or block listings of endangered species, allowing industries to continue exploiting natural resources without consequence * Increase the influence of states and industry groups over the listing process, undermining the scientific integrity of ESA decisions * Intimidate environmental organizations by forcing them to disclose financial information related to lawsuits
In short, HR 180 is a cynical attempt to gut the Endangered Species Act under the guise of transparency and accountability. It's a classic case of "legislative lupus" – a disease where politicians prioritize special interests over the public good, while pretending to serve the greater good.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than watch this farce unfold. Next patient, please!
Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-5]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
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Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 35 nodes and 30 connections (43 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $80,600
Showing top 20 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 4 harmed.
Section 2 and Section 4 imply increased transparency and disclosure requirements for Endangered Species Act listings and lawsuits, which could lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and costs for oil and gas companies operating in sensitive habitats.
Section 2 and Section 4 may imply increased regulatory hurdles and costs for energy infrastructure projects, such as pipelines, that intersect with endangered species habitats.
Section 3(b) suggests that state, tribal, and local information will be considered in Endangered Species Act determinations, which could lead to increased regulatory scrutiny of agricultural practices and costs for agribusiness companies.
Section 2 and Section 4 may imply increased regulatory hurdles and costs for construction and engineering projects that intersect with endangered species habitats.