CHUMP CHANGE.A report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG PIRG Public Interest Research Group ) shows foes of endangered species endangered species, any plant or animal species whose ability to survive and reproduce has been jeopardized by human activities. In 1999 the U.S. government, in accordance with the U.S. aren't afraid to put their money where their mouth is. Between 1989 and 1997, political action committees connected to the mining, timber, real estate, petrochemical and agribusiness agribusiness Agriculture operated by business; specifically, that part of a modern national economy devoted to the production, processing, and distribution of food and fibre products and byproducts. industries contributed more than $100 million to congressional candidates in their attempts to rollback the Endangered Species Act The federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) (16 U.S.C.A. §§ 1531 et seq.) was enacted to protect animal and plant species from extinction by preserving the ecosystems in which they survive and by providing programs for their conservation. (ESA 1. (architecture) ESA - Enterprise Systems Architecture. 2. (body) ESA - European Space Agency. ). This corporate cash trough is nothing new (see "Dirty Money" feature story, September/October 1996), but PIRG staff attorney Kim Delfino says it's determining the balance of power on Capitol Hill. "$100 million buys a whole lot of influence--it'll get a Congressman's ear," she says. "It's a classic case of money versus grassroots. Right now, industry has the upper hand." In the House, Representative Don Young (R-AK) took the most anti-ESA money; Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) took top honors in the Senate. Each received nearly half a million dollars, pushing ever-forward with their anti-environmental agendas. CONTACT: U.S. Public Interest Research Group, 218 D Street SE, Washington DC 20083/(202)546-9707. |
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