Statement of Support: ESA Amendments Act of 2025, H.R. 1897

By SBE Council at 21 April, 2026, 8:21 am

The following statement of support for the ESA Amendments Act (H.R. 1897) can be attributed to Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) President & CEO Karen Kerrigan:

“The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) strongly supports the ESA Amendments Act of 2025, H.R. 1897. This legislation delivers long overdue, common-sense reforms to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that will improve outcomes for the American economy with compromising species protections.”

“For more than 50 years, the ESA has too often fallen short of its core mission. Despite its intent to recover species, only about 3% of listed species have been successfully delisted. At the same time, the law has increasingly been used in ways that delay or halt critical infrastructure, energy, and development projects, which have created uncertainty and costly barriers for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and local communities. Federal permitting reviews tied to ESA consultations can take several years to complete, with some large-scale projects facing delays of 5 to 10 years or more, driving up costs and discouraging investment. More broadly, lengthy and unpredictable permitting processes can increase total project costs by 20% or more, with small businesses disproportionately impacted due to limited capital and tighter margins.”

“H.R. 1897 restores balance and accountability to the ESA by emphasizing measurable recovery outcomes, strengthening scientific integrity, and providing clear, consistent standards for implementation. The bill streamlines the permitting and consultation processes, ensuring that reviews are focused, timely, and grounded in sound science while maintaining protections for at-risk species. These reforms will reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens and provide greater certainty for small businesses seeking to invest, expand, and create jobs.”

“The legislation also encourages collaboration and innovation by aligning incentives for species recovery with regulatory relief and greater state involvement. By creating clearer pathways for delisting and limiting litigation abuse that undermines successful recovery efforts, H.R. 1897 fosters a more effective, reasonable, and durable conservation framework.”

“SBE Council urges Congress to advance this important legislation, and we thank Representative Bruce Westerman for his leadership. Modernizing the ESA is essential to unlocking responsible economic growth, strengthening U.S. competitiveness, and ensuring that conservation efforts are both effective and sustainable over the long term.”

SBE Council is a nonpartisan advocacy, research and education organization dedicated to protecting small business and promoting entrepreneurship. For more than 30 years, SBE Council has advanced a range of private sector and public policy initiatives to strengthen the ecosystem for strong startup activity and small business growth.

Visit www.sbecouncil.org for additional information. X: @SBECouncil